What You Need to Know About Georgia Workplace Discrimination Laws
Workplace discrimination is not legal in Georgia. Here’s what you need to know about Georgia workplace discrimination laws.
To file a workplace discrimination complaint, an employee must file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, depending on the type of discrimination and employer.
Workplace Discrimination Laws in Georgia
Federal law prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Georgia state law further prohibits certain types of workplace discrimination in state agencies.
The Georgia Age Discrimination Act prevents discrimination against people between 40 and 70. This act applies to all employers in Georgia, public and private, regardless of size.
The Equal Employment for Persons with Disabilities Code prevents discrimination based on disabilities. This code applies to all employers in Georgia with 15 or more employees.
The Georgia Equal Pay Act requires all Georgia employers with ten or more employees to pay employees of the opposite sex equal pay for equal work.
The Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, or age. This act applies to all state employers with 15 or more employees.
Discrimination can occur at any point in employment, including:
- Hiring
- Promotions
- Wages and pay raises
- Disciplinary actions
- Demotions
- Firing
Individual cities may also have their own anti-discrimination laws in Georgia.
Related: Workplace Violence in Georgia: Employee Rights
Enforcing Workplace Discrimination Laws in Georgia
The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigates claims of workplace discrimination from private employers and the federal government.
The Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity Equal Employment Division investigates workplace discrimination claims within the Georgia state government, including gender-based discrimination. These discrimination claims must violate the Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act.
Filing a Workplace Discrimination Complaint in Georgia
To file a federal workplace discrimination complaint, an employee must file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The employee must file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.
To file an Employment Complaint Form with the Georgia Equal Employment Division (EED), an employee must work for the Georgia state government and file the complaint within 180 days after the alleged discrimination.
The EED will attempt to procure a mutual agreement between the employee and the employer. If the parties cannot come to an agreement, the EED will issue its own findings.
Filing a Workplace Discrimination Lawsuit in Georgia
An employee cannot file a federal workplace discrimination lawsuit without first filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If the EEOC dismisses the complaint, the commission will issue a Dismissal and Notice of Rights or Notice of Right to Sue. The employee can then file a workplace discrimination lawsuit.
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The employee must file a workplace discrimination lawsuit within 90 days after the commission issues a Dismissal and Notice of Rights or Notice of Right to Sue.
FAQs About Workplace Discrimination in Georgia
What is the statute of limitations to file a workplace discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
The statute of limitations to file a workplace discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is 180 days after an alleged act of discrimination.
What is the statute of limitations to file a workplace discrimination complaint with the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity?
The statute of limitations to file a workplace discrimination complaint with the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity is 180 days after an alleged act of discrimination.
What is the statute of limitations to file a workplace discrimination lawsuit in Georgia?
The statute of limitations to file a workplace discrimination lawsuit in Georgia is 90 days after the EEOC files a Dismissal and Notice of Rights or Notice of Right to Sue.
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If you or a loved one would like to learn more about Georgia Workplace Discrimination Laws, get connected to an attorney with one of our Employment Attorneys in Georgia today!
