Workplace Issues in Georgia

No. Georgia does not have a comprehensive anti-discrimination employment statute for private sector employees. Private sector workers in Georgia must rely on federal laws — Title VII, the ADA, and the ADEA — enforced through the EEOC. Georgia's Fair Employment Practices Act covers only state government employees.

Because Georgia lacks a qualifying state fair employment practices agency for private employees, the standard EEOC deadline may be 180 days (not 300 days) for some claim types. Confirm the applicable deadline with the EEOC Atlanta District Office immediately, as missing the deadline can permanently bar your federal claim.

Georgia has a state minimum wage statute, but it is set at $5.15 per hour — below the federal floor. Federal law supersedes state law, so covered employers must pay at least the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Most employers are covered by the FLSA, making the federal rate effectively the minimum in Georgia.

Georgia is a strong at-will employment state. Employers can generally terminate employees for any reason or no reason, as long as the reason is not unlawful (such as discrimination on a protected federal class or retaliation for federally protected activity). Georgia's public policy exception to at-will employment is very narrow.