To ensure compliance with Georgia's employment and labor laws, there are several steps that need to be taken:
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Familiarize yourself with the Georgia employment and labor laws: Brush up on the federal and state wage and hour laws, discrimination laws, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Employees must also provide a safe and healthy work environment and ensure nondiscriminatory hiring, promotion, and firing practices. It is strongly recommended to consult with a licensed attorney to receive guidance to ensure compliance.
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Develop employee policies and procedures: Develop and implement policies and procedures to comply with employment and labor laws. Your policies should include at-will employment disclosures, anti-discrimination and harassment policies, and a grievance procedure for reporting complaints. Employees should also be adequately trained on the policies and given adequate copies of the policies.
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Maintain accurate employee records: As an employer, track employee time worked, wage payments, and benefits to ensure that you meet minimum wage and overtime pay requirements as per Georgia wage and hour laws. Employee files must also contain necessary job application information, W-4s, and Form I-9s.
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Comply with workplace safety and health laws: As an employer, ensure that the workplace meets state and federal safety and health regulations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for precautions against COVID-19.
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Display required labor law postings: You must display state and federal employment and labor law posters in your workplace. The posters must be displayed in an area readily accessible and visible for employees.
Limitations or exceptions to the advice given depend on the specific circumstances of your business. Additional action may be necessary based on extenuating circumstances. It is recommended that you obtain guidance from a licensed attorney to ensure the best course of action.
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