Intro to Georgia Labor Laws

Georgia’s Dignity and Pay Act ends the use of subminimum wages for workers with disabilities by phasing out Section 14(c) certificates. The law prohibits new certificates after July 1, 2025, and requires employers with existing certificates to pay at least 50% of the federal minimum wage starting July 1, 2026, and the full minimum wage by July 1, 2027. Any Georgia employers utilizing Section 14(c) Certificates should review current practices and develop a plan to phase out the subminimum wage at their organization.

Last month, Georgia passed a new lactation break law requiring that all Georgia employers must provide reasonable, paid break time to employees to express milk while at work. Employers must also provide a private location, other than a restroom, for these purposes.

Georgia's new voting leave law will expand to allow employees, regardless of work schedule, to use voting leave for early voting and to take up to two hours of unpaid time off on election day or any designated in-person early voting day. Previously, leave was only required if an employee didn't have a two-hour voting window before or after work while the polls were open.