There are generally two different types of employee benefits. Some employers might choose voluntarily offer benefits that are not legally required, such as paid vacation time and retirement plans. However, there are some benefits that are federally mandated. If you’re a Georgian worker, you might be wondering about the mandatory employee benefits that you’re entitled to in your state. Thankfully, our knowledgeable law firm is here to help! Read this blog to learn more and find out how an Atlanta Employment Rights Attorney can provide high-quality legal counseling.

WHAT ARE MANDATORY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS?

The United States Bureau of Labor requires several benefits to be offered to all American employees. These benefits are:

• Social Security and Medicare. These statutory benefits are programs that aid retired workers, disabled individuals, and children. Both employers and employees are required to pay the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), which is a federal employment tax used to fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
• Unemployment insurance. Employers must pay state and federal taxes to contribute to unemployment insurance, which protects employees who lose their job through no fault of their own. If eligible, workers that lose their jobs can claim unemployment income while trying to find another job.
• Workers’ compensation insurance. Employees who are injured while performing their regular job duties are usually entitled to workers’ compensation. This is when the employer pays for their medical expenses and lost wages during the recovery period (or purchases an insurance policy that covers these expenses). In Georgia, only companies that have three or more employees are required to have workers’ comp insurance.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) protections. The FMLA provides employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualifying reasons, such as the birth of a child or needing to care for a sick relative. Only companies with 50 or more employees are subject to this law.
• Health insurance. Again, this is only required for businesses with 50 or more employees. The Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide reasonable healthcare coverage to their employees.

ARE ANY OTHER BENEFITS MANDATED IN GEORGIA?

There are some benefits that aren’t federally mandated but are required for Georgian employers. For example, in 2020 Georgia courts enacted a law that requires employers to provide a private place for breastfeeding mothers to express their breast milk. Employers with less than 50 employees may be able to avoid this law if it causes undue hardship, meaning the accommodations are harmful to the business. Georgian workers also have voter and jury duty benefits so employees can miss work for these rights without penalty.

Have you recently been unlawfully denied employee benefits by your employer? Are you seeking an effective employment law attorney who has your best interests in mind? Look no further because Ben Barrett Law is here to fight for you! Contact our highly experienced team today for an initial consultation.