Georgia Employee Handbook

Dec 23, 2025

When your company hires employees in Georgia, you are required to comply with federal, state, and local employment laws. There are a variety of human resources and labor policies in the workplace that differ by state. Through your employee handbook, employers can easily document and distribute the correct policies to their employees to comply with the laws of each state.

Creating your Georgia Employee Handbook is a useful way to explain important policies and procedures, mitigate legal risk, and introduce employees to the expectations and operating practices of the organization.

Mosey has compiled the relevant policies a company with employees in Georgia must consider.

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Georgia Employee Handbook Policies

There are 4 state and local employee handbook policies in Georgia.

Wage and Hour

Georgia Lactation Break Policy

You are entitled to paid break time to express breast milk for up to two years after childbirth, separate from regular breaks. Employer will provide a private, secure space near your work area, excluding restrooms. If a dedicated space is unavailable, a convenient location will be arranged collaboratively, and work schedules adjusted as needed. Accommodations will be granted unless they cause undue hardship. Retaliation, discrimination, or requiring employees to use paid leave for lactation breaks is strictly prohibited.

Leaves of Absence

Georgia Voting Leave Policy

You are provided with up to two-hours of paid time off for voting on election days unless polls are open 2 hours before or after regular working shift.

Georgia Jury Duty Leave Policy

You are eligible for unpaid time off to serve on jury duty.

Georgia Military Service Leave Policy

You are entitled to unlimited unpaid leave for active duty if called to the U.S. uniformed services, the Georgia National Guard, or the National Guard of any other state. You are also entitled to up to six months of leave within any four-year period for service school or annual training. Upon your return, you are entitled to reinstatement with full benefits unless the employer’s circumstances have changed to make reinstatement impossible or unreasonable. You must apply for reinstatement within 90 days of discharge or within ten days of completing school or training.

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Federal Employee Handbook Policies

Regardless of which states you have employees in, there are required federal policies that must be included in your employee handbook. In addition to any state-specific policies, your employee handbook for Georgia should contain the following federal policies.

  • Anti-Harassment Policy
  • Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy
  • Anti-Retaliation Policy
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
  • Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Handbook Policy Best Practices

In addition to the required federal policies, the following policies are best practices to include in your employee handbook.

  • Prohibited Conduct Policy
  • Violations Reporting Policy
  • Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
  • Weapons Policy
  • Disciplinary Action Policy
  • At-Will Employment
  • Federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Policy

Employee handbook requirements by state

Select a state to learn more about state and federal HR policies.

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