Georgia has strict wage & hour laws to ensure that employees are treated properly. If you believe your rights as an employee are being violated, it is important to contact an employment law attorney as soon as possible. Read on to learn more about wage & hour laws in the Fair Labor and Standards Act.

What is the Fair Labor and Standards Act?

The Fair Labor and Standards Act states that employers must pay their employees the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. That being said, in Georgia, many employers are not subject to the FLSA. Because of this, they can actually pay their employees a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour. This is especially common in the restaurant service and other industries that rely on tips. For example, employees, such as waiters, who receive tips, only have to receive a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour. Additional workers exempt from the minimum wage laws are as follows:

• Babysitters
• Newspaper delivery employees
• Newspaper employees of limited circulation newspapers
• Switchboard operators
• Workers with disabilities
• Fishermen

What are the overtime laws with the Fair Labor Standards Act?

The Fair Labor Standards Act also governs overtime laws for employees. Generally, if you are an eligible employee who works over 40 hours per week, you should receive 1.5 times the amount of your standard pay when working overtime. Under other circumstances, you may also receive overtime pay for working on holidays. Unfortunately, many employees do not qualify for this pay. Employees who are not eligible for overtime typically include:

• Some computer professionals covered under Section 13(a)(17) of the FLSA
• Some farmworkers on small farms
• Certain retail or service sales employees who receive commission
• Babysitters
• Livestock auction workers
• Movie theater employees
• Companions for the elderly
• Buyers of agricultural products
• Airline employees
• Newspaper delivery employees
• Truck, trailer, boat, and aircraft salespeople
• Television station employees in small markets
• Taxicab drivers
• Police officers working in small, public police departments that have under 5 officers

If you have any questions or concerns about wage and hour laws in Georgia, our firm is here to help. Reach out today to speak with an experienced employment law attorney.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GEORGIA FIRM

If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Georgia, you can count on Ben Barrett Law to effectively represent your interests. With over 30 years of experience, Attorney Barrett has the skill and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of any employment law matter you may be facing. To discuss your case with a legal team you can trust, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Barrett Law today.