Obligations United States Georgia
What a Georgia business has to have in writing
Georgia has no comprehensive privacy, biometric or insurance data security law, and no state OSHA plan, so its written-policy load is light.
What it does carry is a breach notification statute for data collectors, a records disposal duty backed by the Attorney General, an E-Verify affidavit regime, and a Department of Labor poster set that includes the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act notice.
The state Fair Employment Practices Act reaches state agencies only, so private employers have no state harassment policy or training mandate.
Headcount
Industry General is always on
Sponsored
Policy Acknowledgment Proof
GeorgiaHandbook 2026acknowledged by name
Georgia on Recordwith AllyMatter
Cover Georgia the Modern WayEvery policy Georgia makes you write, acknowledged by name
01
Approve it, lock the version
Non-author approval, obsolete copies blocked
02
Every employee in Georgia on record
Who read which version, and when
03
Walk into any state inspection with the trail
From $29/mo, 20 editors, unlimited staff (published)
What applies
Georgia rules for a 15–19 person general business
State law only. The federal layer every employer carries sits on the business-type pages below. Each row names what you must write, post, file or certify, who enforces it, and links to the state authority.
Breach Notification 1Who you must tell after a data breach, and how fast
LawProduceWhat it requiresTriggerEnforced by
Georgia Personal Identity Protection Act (breach notification)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 10-1-910 to 10-1-915Information brokers and data collectors that keep computerized personal information about Georgia residents, plus anyone maintaining such data on their behalfDistribute + ack
Notice
After a breach, notify affected Georgia residents in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay (written, electronic or, for very large or costly incidents, substitute notice). If more than 10,000 residents are notified at once, also tell the nationwide consumer reporting agencies about the timing, distribution and content of the notice. No Attorney General notice is required.
From the first employee
Georgia Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
Data Security Program 1A written safeguards program the state requires before anything goes wrong
LawProduceWhat it requiresTriggerEnforced by
Georgia business records disposal law (Personal Identity Protection)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 10-15-1 and 10-15-2Any business in Georgia that keeps customer records containing personal information such as Social Security, driver license or account numbers, medical or disability informationWrite
Written program
A disposal practice the business actually follows so customer records are shredded, erased or made unreadable before they are thrown away, or otherwise kept from unauthorized access until destroyed.
From the first employee
Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division
Paid Leave Policies 1Sick and family leave laws that come with a written policy or notice
LawProduceWhat it requiresTriggerEnforced by
Georgia Family Care Act (kin care use of sick leave)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 34-1-10Employers with 25 or more employees that already offer paid sick leave; employers with an employee stock ownership plan are exempt. Georgia does not require paid sick leave itself.Write
Written policy
Where a paid sick leave benefit exists, the written sick leave policy has to let employees use up to five earned days a year to care for an immediate family member; no separate notice or filing is prescribed.
25+ employees
No agency enforcement is specified; the statute creates no private cause of action
Required Postings 1The notices every workplace in the state must display
LawProduceWhat it requiresTriggerEnforced by
Georgia required workplace postersAI-compiledO.C.G.A. 34-8-190 (unemployment insurance), 34-5-3 (Equal Pay for Equal Work), 34-7-2 (vacation notice), 34-9-81.1 (workers' compensation)Every Georgia employer covered by the unemployment insurance law; workers' compensation notices for employers with 3 or more employeesPost
Posting
Post the Georgia Department of Labor set (Unemployment Insurance for Employees DOL-810, Equal Pay for Equal Work Act DOL-4107, and the Employer Vacation notice DOL-154 where a vacation policy exists) and the State Board of Workers' Compensation Bill of Rights, Panel of Physicians and, if used, Managed Care Organization notices, alongside federal posters.
From the first employee
Georgia Department of Labor; State Board of Workers' Compensation
Pay Transparency 1Salary ranges in job posts and pay disclosure on request
LawProduceWhat it requiresTriggerEnforced by
Georgia Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (Sex Discrimination in Employment)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 34-5-1 et seq.; poster DOL-4107Employers covered by the Georgia Sex Discrimination in Employment Act; the Department of Labor lists the poster in its required workplace setPost
Posting
Display the Department of Labor Equal Pay for Equal Work Act poster (DOL-4107, and DOL-4107SP in Spanish) where employees can see it, and be able to show that any pay differential between the sexes for comparable work rests on seniority, merit, quantity or quality of production, or a factor other than sex.
From the first employee
Georgia Department of Labor
Licensing and Certifications 4Registrations, licences and certifications a business or its staff must hold
LawProduceWhat it requiresTriggerEnforced by
Business entity registration and annual registration (Georgia Corporations Division)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 14-2-1622 (corporations), 14-11-1103 (LLCs)Every corporation, LLC, limited partnership or foreign entity registered to do business in GeorgiaFile
Filing / record
File formation or foreign-qualification documents with the Secretary of State, then file an annual registration between January 1 and April 1 each year (one to three years at a time) or face late fees and administrative dissolution.
From the first employee
Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division
State tax registration (Georgia Tax Center)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 48-8-59 (sales tax registration), 48-7-101 (withholding)Any business selling taxable goods or services in Georgia, and any business with employees whose wages are subject to Georgia withholdingFile
Filing / record
Register through the Georgia Tax Center for a sales and use tax number and a withholding account number (plus alcohol, tobacco or motor fuel accounts where relevant) before starting sales or payroll, then file periodic returns.
From the first employee
Georgia Department of Revenue
Residential and general contractor licensingAI-compiledO.C.G.A. 43-41-1 et seq.Anyone contracting for residential or general construction work worth more than $2,500 in labor and materials; electrical, plumbing, HVAC and utility trades are licensed separately under O.C.G.A. 43-14Certify
Certification
Hold a residential-basic, residential-light commercial, or general contractor license (limited or unlimited tier) from the State Licensing Board before bidding or performing covered work; the qualifying agent must pass the exam and the license number goes on contracts and permits.
From the first employee
Georgia Secretary of State, State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
Certified Food Safety Manager requirement (Georgia Food Service Rules)AI-compiledGa. Comp. R. & Regs. 511-6-1-.03(3); O.C.G.A. 26-2-370 et seq.Every permitted food service establishment except mobile units that do not process food, temporary events, and operations serving only low-risk or pre-prepared foodsCertify
Certification
Employ at least one manager or supervisor who holds an accredited Certified Food Safety Manager credential, keep the certificate on the premises for inspectors, and replace a departed CFSM within 60 days.
From the first employee
Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health (county health departments issue permits)
Other Written Policies 4Any other document the state makes an employer write or hand out
LawProduceWhat it requiresTriggerEnforced by
E-Verify affidavit for business licenses (Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 36-60-6; 13-10-91Private employers with more than 10 employees that apply for or renew a county or city occupation tax certificate or business license; every applicant must sign an affidavit either wayCertify + ack
Certification
Enroll in E-Verify, run every new hire through it, and sign the Attorney General's private employer affidavit (stating the E-Verify user number and enrollment date) with each business license application or renewal; employers with 10 or fewer staff sign the exemption affidavit instead.
11+ employees
County and municipal licensing offices; Georgia Attorney General publishes the affidavit; Georgia Department of Labor for public contractors
Drug-Free Workplace Program certification (voluntary, premium credit)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 34-9-410 to 34-9-421; 33-9-40.2Any employer that chooses to be certified as a drug-free workplace in order to earn the 7.5 percent workers' compensation premium discount; testing itself is not required by Georgia lawCertify + ack
Certification
Adopt a written substance abuse policy statement, give it to every employee 60 days before testing begins, run the required testing, provide employee assistance resources and annual employee education plus supervisor training, then apply for certification and re-certify with the State Board each year (fee $35).
From the first employee
Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation
Child labor employment certificates (work permits)AI-compiledO.C.G.A. 39-2-11; 39-2-1 et seq.Every employer that hires a minor under 16 (with limited exemptions for farm, domestic and family work)File
Filing / record
Complete the employer section of the minor's employment certificate application (business address, type of work) in the Department of Labor's online system, and keep the issued certificate on the premises where the minor works for as long as the employment lasts.
From the first employee
Georgia Department of Labor, Child Labor Unit
Workers' compensation coverage and noticesAI-compiledO.C.G.A. 34-9-2, 34-9-81.1, 34-9-201Employers that regularly employ 3 or more people, counting part-time and seasonal staff and corporate officersPost
Posting
Carry workers' compensation insurance or hold self-insurance approval, and post the Bill of Rights notice and a Panel of Physicians (or certified managed care notice) where employees can read it, explaining the panel to workers.
3+ employees
Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation
From the publisher
Keep Your Written Policies in One Place
Whatever you are working toward, AllyMatter gets your policies approved, keeps every version and records who has read each one.
See how AllyMatter works ↗From $29/mo, 20 editors, unlimited staff
Add the federal layer
Your business type, with Georgia on top
Small businessFederal + industry, with Georgia on topConstruction contractorsFederal + industry, with Georgia on topHealthcare practicesFederal + industry, with Georgia on topFood and beverage businessesFederal + industry, with Georgia on topTax and accounting firmsFederal + industry, with Georgia on topRegistered investment advisersFederal + industry, with Georgia on topInsurance agenciesFederal + industry, with Georgia on topRetail and e-commerceFederal + industry, with Georgia on topTrucking and logistics carriersFederal + industry, with Georgia on topNonprofitsFederal + industry, with Georgia on topFederal contractorsFederal + industry, with Georgia on top
Other states
The same index for another state
Alabama12Alaska12Arizona11Arkansas14California20Colorado18Connecticut17Delaware17District of Columbia12Florida15Hawaii16Idaho13Illinois19Indiana16Iowa13Kansas11Kentucky14Louisiana13Maine14Maryland19Massachusetts16Michigan15Minnesota19Mississippi11Missouri12Montana15Nebraska13Nevada18New Hampshire13New Jersey19New Mexico13New York17North Carolina12North Dakota13Ohio13Oklahoma11Oregon19Pennsylvania12Rhode Island13South Carolina12South Dakota11Tennessee14Texas15Utah13Vermont17Virginia17Washington21West Virginia14Wisconsin15Wyoming13
Need a hand implementing it?
Find a Consultant Who Does This Work
Tell us what you need done and we will point you to firms that do this work. Your details go to a firm only when you choose it.
Sources
Georgia Attorney General Consumer Protection Division (Consumer Ed)Georgia Department of Labor, required workplace postersGeorgia Department of Human Services summary of GDOL postersGeorgia Secretary of State, how to file annual registrationGeorgia.gov, renew a corporationGeorgia Department of Revenue, register a new businessGeorgia Department of Revenue, tax registrationGeorgia Secretary of State, Rules of the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (GAC 553)Board licensure comparison chart (sos.ga.gov)Georgia Department of Public Health, food serviceGeorgia Rules and Regulations 511-6-1 (Secretary of State)Georgia Attorney General, private employer affidavitGeorgia Department of Labor, Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance ActGeorgia State Board of Workers' Compensation, Drug-Free WorkplaceO.C.G.A. 34-9-412.1 (SBWC publication)Georgia Department of LaborGeorgia General Assembly, Family Care ActGeorgia Department of Labor, child labor employment certificate instructionsGeorgia Department of Labor, employer child labor FAQsGeorgia State Board of Workers' Compensation, insurance FAQsGeorgia Attorney General, disposal of customers' business recordsGeorgia Attorney General, disposal of your personal records by a businessGeorgia Department of Labor, Equal Pay for Equal Work Act poster (DOL-4107)