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Wage & Hour Disputes

What is the overtime rate in Georgia?

By law, overtime work must be compensated at an increased hourly rate, which cannot be less than 1.25 times the standard hourly rate (125%).

Can my employer pay me late?

No. Employers must pay salaries at least once a month. For every day of delay, you are entitled to a penalty of 0.07% of the delayed amount.

How can I prove I worked overtime?

Employers are legally required to keep working time records. If they don't, the burden of proof shifts against them. You can also use emails, entry logs, or witness testimony.

Is unpaid internship legal?

Generally, no. If you perform real work duties, it is considered an employment relationship and must be paid at least minimum wage (though Georgia's minimum wage is currently very low, courts look at market rates).

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Remuneration for labor is a fundamental right of an employee, yet wage arrears and unpaid overtime are among the most common problems in Georgia. Many employers violate the law by forcing employees to work longer than established hours without extra pay, delaying salary payments, or incorrectly calculating vacation and sick leave pay. "Wage & Hour Disputes" is a service that helps employees recover owed funds, including the penalty (0.07%) accrued for each day of delay.

Lawyers presented on the Legal.ge platform offer effective assistance in resolving financial labor disputes. Services include:

  • Debt Calculation: Precise calculation of how much the employer owes in base salary, overtime hours (at an increased rate), and unused vacation.
  • Proving Overtime Work: Gathering evidence (access card data, correspondence, witnesses) that work was actually performed during non-working hours.
  • Final Settlement Demand: Recovering amounts along with penalties in case of delayed final settlement upon termination.
  • Interaction with Labor Inspection: Filing a complaint with the Inspection to establish the fact of forced labor or non-payment of overtime.
  • Court Litigation: Filing a lawsuit to forcibly recover the debt.

Wage disputes are frequent in the restaurant business, construction, and retail, where shift lengths often exceed the legally permitted 40 or 48 hours per week. For example, a waiter works 60 hours a week but receives a fixed salary. By law, time worked over 40 hours must be compensated at an increased rate (at least 125%). A lawyer will help you calculate this difference and claim it for the last 3 years.

The Labor Code of Georgia (Article 31) strictly regulates the time and form of remuneration. Salary must be paid at least once a month. In case of delay, the employer is liable for a penalty for each overdue day. Also, the Code defines the obligation to pay for overtime work. The burden of proof regarding working time recording lies with the employer, which strengthens the employee's position.

The process begins with sending a written claim to the employer. Often, when a company sees a qualified legal demand and the risk of increasing penalties, they agree to settle the debt out of court. If not, the case goes to court, where legal costs can also be claimed.

Legal.ge is a platform that will help you recover money earned through your honest labor. Labor must be compensated, and our specialists ensure the protection of this right.

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