Georgia Employment Contract Template

A Georgia employment contract is a written agreement between an employer and an employee. It defines duties, pay, benefits, and conditions for ending the relationship. Unless the contract specifies otherwise, employment in Georgia is generally at-will.

• At-will employment: Georgia follows the at-will standard, meaning either party may terminate the job at any time unless a contract or law provides otherwise. Exceptions apply for discrimination or retaliation.
• Minimum wage: Georgia’s state minimum wage is $5.15/hour, but most employers must pay the federal minimum of $7.25/hour because of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Overtime: Non-exempt employees are entitled to 1.5× pay for hours worked over 40 per week under federal law.
• Meal/rest breaks: Georgia law does not require meal or rest breaks for adult workers. Federal law requires breaks under 20 minutes to be paid.
• Paid leave: Georgia does not require private employers to offer paid sick or vacation leave. Policies are set by the employer.
• Pay frequency: Employers must pay wages in regular intervals no longer than semi-monthly (GA Code § 34-7-2). Paydays must be designated in advance.
• Final pay: Wages must be paid by the next regular payday after separation.
• Child labor: Youths under 16 face limits on work hours (e.g., no more than 4 hours on a school day, no work before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m.). Hazardous occupations are prohibited for minors under 18. Work permits are required for minors under 18.
• Non-competes: Enforceable under Georgia’s Restrictive Covenants Act (GA Code § 13-8-50) if reasonable in time, geographic scope, and scope of activity. Courts favor enforceability for higher-level employees.
• E-signatures: Georgia has adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), making e-signatures legally valid (GA Code § 10-12-7).
• Recordkeeping: Employers must maintain accurate records of each employee’s name, address, occupation, hours worked, and wages paid, retaining these records for at least one year. False entries are prohibited. (GA Code § 34-2-11)

When writing a Georgia employment contract, include clear terms that follow federal and state rules:

1. Start with basics: Include employer and employee names, job title, work location, and start date. Note that Georgia follows at-will employment unless you specify otherwise.
2. Define job duties: Outline responsibilities, supervisor, and work schedule to avoid disputes.
3. Set pay and schedule: State the wage or salary, pay frequency (no less than semi-monthly), and overtime eligibility. Most employers must follow the federal $7.25/hour minimum and overtime rules.
4. Include benefits and leave: Georgia doesn’t mandate paid sick or vacation leave, so outline any PTO, holiday, or leave benefits you provide.
5. Address breaks: No state requirement for adult breaks, but specify any company policy. Paid breaks under 20 minutes must follow federal law.
6. Add confidentiality and restrictive covenants: Georgia allows non-competes if reasonable in time, scope, and geography. Include NDAs or non-solicitation clauses as needed.
7. Termination terms: Confirm at-will status unless you wish to limit it. State how and when final wages will be paid (by the next payday).
8. Compliance and signatures: Reference Georgia law as governing law. Confirm that electronic signatures are valid under Georgia’s UETA.