Georgia mandatory overtime laws ?

Question

In georgia what are the overtime and break laws?

i work at a youth detention center , we work 8hrs a day 5 days a week ,but second shift doesnt show up so we have to stay 16hrs a day most days with a 30min break is that legal in ga? they choose which employees stay ,usually 2 or 3 a day , but if we refuse they say they can fire us no questions asked ??

Answer 1

in Georgia mandatory overtime is allowed.

Georgia does not require any breaks for adults.

Georgia follows federal law for the most part and has very few labor laws.

Georgia is an "at-will" state and as such they could terminate you for failing to work the assigned schedule. changes to schedules do not require advance notice or approval by the employee.

if you work for a government entity and are a civil servant then it is possible that you are covered by laws that do not relate to private sector employees. there is also the possibility that you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement but with either of these scenarios you would know that and you would have someone to contact that deals with these issues.

Answer 2

Sounds like you have a terrible employer! I am pretty sure that GA law states that all employees working more than an 8 hour shift is entitled to one half an hour paid lunch break and two fifteen minute unpaid breaks. Lastly, sad to say it, but more than likely your employment is at will and there was no contract at the start of your employment, so more than likely they can fire you at any moment without any reason. (Of course, if they do this, you could then sue them for wrongful termination, but you would have to foot the bill for the court costs and may not even win the case.)