Employment Law

What is the minimum wage in the state of Georgia?

As a Georgia employer, you must abide by a myriad of state and federal laws in managing and paying your employees. Failure to follow state and federal laws could result in tremendous fines, civil penalties, and other attendant consequences. It is imperative that employers in Georgia understand the state’s hour and wage laws, along with laws concerning tips, break time, vacations, and more. Our Read more . . .

What changes have developed concerning restrictive covenants?

The field of employment law is ever-shifting, and as a business owner it is imperative that you stay abreast of the latest legal developments. Your hiring, management of employees, firing, and more could be greatly affected by shifts in the employment law landscape. Not conforming with changes to the law could leave you out of compliance and potentially open to fines or even litigation. Our Read more . . .

Why is it important to periodically update your employee handbook?

With the new year approaching, now is a great time to review your employee handbook and make any necessary updates.  Your employee handbook serves as a vital guide to your employees.  A thorough handbook can prove essential in communicating your company’s mission and policies concerning employee behavior, compensation, and rights.  Your handbook can eliminate much confusion among employees, ward off ill behavior, and potentially even avoid litigation.  It is important to occasionally review your handbook to ensure it contains the most up-to-date information that you wish to convey to your workforce.
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Can an employee who was voluntarily paid after a dispute recover for attorney’s fees and costs in an FLSA action?

 

Employment law is an ever-shifting field, requiring both employers and employees alike stay abreast of recent case developments.  Looking back at 2018, two federal court decisions stand out as providing important guidance on wage and hour issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  Both of these cases represent a positive outcome for employers.  Our Read more . . .

How can social media influence employment today?

Facebook has faced several scandals involving discrimination in recent years. Now, the company has been accused of allowing employers to exclude female job candidates using the social media platform’s recruitment campaign technology.  Formal charges were recently filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by a group of job applicants coupled with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Communications Workers of America.  In our internet and social media driven culture, these accusations against Facebook must be taken seriously.  Our Atlanta, Georgia employment discrimination lawyer explains the Facebook charges and what they could mean for the company below.

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What changes will the new hands-free law mean for Georgia employers?

Georgia’s new hands-free law went into effect on July 1, 2018. The law is anticipated to bring widespread changes to both private drivers and employers who require employees to drive on the job. Passed in response to alarming rates of distracted driving accidents, the hands-free law prohibits drivers from physically holding a wireless telecommunications device while driving. This law expands on the already existing ban on texting while driving.

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What clauses should my employee handbook contain?

Employers in Georgia should develop a thorough employee handbook that sets out in writing the policies of the business, expectations of employees, employee benefits, and much more. Your handbook can provide an excellent introduction to the core values and mission of the business, while outlining vital rules regarding workplace code of conduct. While all employee handbooks are unique, your Georgia employee handbook will likely include the following features:

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Is my Company's Non-Compete Agreement Enforceable?

Non-compete agreements have become a source of much controversy in recent years.  Some view non-compete agreements as an infringement to a worker’s ability to find jobs in the free market.  For the employer, however, non-competition agreements can prove essential for protecting the employer’s confidential information.  In many states, courts have limited the Read more . . .

What changes could we see to employment laws in the coming years?

Employment law is an evolving, ever changing field.  Employers across the country must stay abreast of the most recent legal changes in order to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.  Our Atlanta management based employment law attorney at Pankey & Horlock, LLC discusses the top employment law issues you need to watch below.
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As an employee, you may have heard of the notion of “reasonable accommodation” in the workplace. What does this mean exaction? The phrase stems from a body of law which governs the ways in which an employer is required to treat an employee (or potential employee) who has a recognized disability that could impact his or her job performance. Under anti-discrimination laws both in the State of Georgia and federal law, an employer is prohibited from discriminating against an employee or candidate due to the disability. Further, the employer must make accommodations for that employee. However, the employee’s rights are not limitless, and an employer is only required to make accommodations that would not be unreasonably burdensome or create a safety hazard for others.

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Does my small business need to have an employee handbook?

Many small business owners think that employee handbooks are only useful for large organizations, but this is not the case. In fact, it is crucial for any business to establish formal rules concerning the employer-employee relationship and the rights and responsibilities of the parties. Ultimately, a formal handbook can protect a business owner in the event of an employee dispute.

What policies should be included in an employee handbook?

Compensation

The first topic to address is employee compensation and whether employees are paid an annual salary, an hourly wage, or commissions. Employees should also be notified when they will be paid, weekly or bi-weekly, although it is customary for sales people to be paid on a monthly basis.

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