Employment Disputes
There are many federal and state employment laws to protect your rights in the workplace, and several different agencies enforce these laws. While the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division does not regulate employment issues and is unable to give you legal advice, these resources may be able to help:
Georgia Department of Labor
The Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) helps to maintain a strong workforce by providing services to job-seekers and employers. You can file an unemployment claim with the DOL or look up information about finding a job or statistics on Georgia’s labor market. You can reach the Georgia DOL at 404-656-3045 in Metro Atlanta or 877-709-8185 from elsewhere in the state.
United States Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of U.S. job-seekers, wage-earners and retirees by improving working conditions, advancing the opportunities for profitable employment, protecting retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment and other national economic measurements.
In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of federal labor laws, including guaranteeing workers’ rights to safe and healthful working conditions, a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, freedom from employment discrimination, unemployment insurance and other income support. If you have questions after consulting their website, you can contact them at 866-4-USA-DOL.
Disabilities
The Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Discrimination
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal statutes relating to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. You should contact the EEOC for discrimination complaints against private employers or the federal government.
The Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity (GCEO), through its Employment Division, enforces the Fair Employment Practices Act, which makes it unlawful for a state agency to discriminate against any employee on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, disability, national origin or age. If you believe you have experienced employment discrimination at a state agency, contact GCEO at 404-656-1736 in metro Atlanta or 800-496-OPEN from outside the metro area.
Working Conditions
Complaints about unsafe or unhealthy working conditions should be filed with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA).
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation provides medical and income benefits to workers injured on the job. The State Board of Workers’ Compensation oversees the administration of our workers’ compensation laws, which cover most employees and provide for replacement of a portion of lost wages, as well as medical payments, vocational rehabilitation services and other benefits. You may contact the State Board of Workers’ Compensation for any questions relating to injuries on the job.
Legal assistance
For your particular situation, you may need to contact a private attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation laws or other employment matters. For assistance in locating an attorney, you can check with the State Bar of Georgia or the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. If you do have a workers’ compensation case, the fee an attorney is allowed to charge you is capped by the Board of Workers’ Compensation.