Georgia ( GA ) Wage and Hour Laws

May 16, 2016

Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws are primarily based upon the federal requirements for workers. Technically Georgia doe not have wage and hour laws of their own.

One of the provisions of Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws addresses the issue of minimum wage. Georgia follows the federal standard by which minimum wage should be paid, which is $5.15 per hour. Those who work for tipped wages in Georgia should receive $2.13 per hour.

This minimum wage in Georgia is usually paid out to those who work non-farm jobs or non-supervisory positions. There are some exceptions to this rule. Those not required to receive minimum wage include some people with disabilities as well as students and apprentices. Tipped employees of course have their own minimum wage as mentioned above.

Most employees within the state of Georgia are eligible according to Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws to receive overtime pay. Overtime for the state of Georgia is any hours worked over the usually 40 per week. If a Georgia employee works more than 40 hours per week that person must be paid by the employer 1 ½ times the regular rate of pay. Those workers who are not required to be paid overtime are the same workers who are not required to receive minimum wage, as indicated above. Other exceptions to both minimum wage and overtime exist as well.
Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws do not state specifically that employers are required to give meal periods or breaks. However, short breaks between 5 and 20 minutes are commonly given out by employers. According to Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws if these short breaks are given they must be compensated. If breaks are paid for by employers, however, the employee may be asked to go back to work during this break. Longer meal periods do not have to be paid for if the employer has not interrupted that break to send an employee back to work.

Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws do not state specifically that employers are required to give meal periods or breaks. However, short breaks between 5 and 20 minutes are commonly given out by employers. According to Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws if these short breaks are given they must be compensated. If breaks are paid for by employers, however, the employee may be asked to go back to work during this break. Longer meal periods do not have to be paid for if the employer has not interrupted that break to send an employee back to work.Georgia (GA) wage and hour laws do not make a provision for sick leave, vacations, or personal days off. These are usually fringe benefits offered by an employer.