Georgia Is An Employment-At-Will State

One thing that an Atlanta contract lawyer will tell you about this topic is that Georgia is an employment-at-will state. This may sound complicated, but in terms of employment contracts, it is actually quite simple. Georgia is an employment-at-will state. This means that the employer can terminate an employee for any reason or for no stated reason at all. At the same time, of course, an employee does not need to stay at their job.

Even at-will employees cannot be terminated for an illegal reason. Illegal reasons in Georgia are mostly related to federal employment laws that prohibit discrimination. Such discrimination is based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, etc.  But illegal reasons can also include retaliation based on certain protected activities.

An exception to the “at will” rules is when a person has an enforceable employment contract. Not all written agreements related to employment are “employment contracts.” To qualify as a legal “employment contract,” the agreement must be for a specific term of time (normally a year).  An enforceable employment contract normally prevents a Georgia employer from terminating a Georgia employee at will.

Georgia Employment Contract Requirements

Employees should check their employment agreement and contracts to make sure that its terms are as specific and clear as possible. We find that the key issue in such contracts is pay, especially for sales-people.  Be sure you understand how you are to be paid and what happens  to your compensation if you leave your position. It is also worth noting that multiple documents can comprise an employment contract in the state of Georgia.

Georgia Lawyers Can Help You Create an Enforceable Contract

One of the most important responsibilities when creating an employment contract in Georgia is to make sure that it is enforceable. As you would likely guess, an employment contract is of limited value if it cannot be legally enforced according to Georgia law. If you hire a lawyer, they can help you create an enforceable employment contract. Employment contracts can benefit employees by giving them protection from wrongful termination. Employment contracts can also benefit employers, such as by protecting the employer’s trade secrets and providing for restrictive covenants. .

As stated previously, there are a number of elements that must be present in an employment contract in order for it to be enforceable in the state of Georgia. These elements are the parties’ assent to the contract’s terms, both parties being able to enter into the contract, a subject matter that the contract operates on, and consideration (that is receiving something of value) for the contract. If all of these elements are present in the employment contract, then it is legally enforceable according to employment law in Georgia. However, even partial employment contracts can be enforced in certain situations when fairness demands. You should reach out to an Atlanta contract lawyer if you need assistance ensuring that an employment contract is enforceable.

A Georgia Lawyer Can Help You Create a Clear Employment Contract

Our team has extensive experience with contract disputes. It is beneficial for both the employee and the employer that an employment contract is as clear as possible. The employee benefits from a clear employment contract because it avoids confusion and potential conflict due to a misunderstanding of the contract’s terms. The employer benefits from a clear employment contract because it means that the responsibilities of both parties, in addition to other information such as the contract’s duration, are as clear as possible. This helps the employer because the employee will know their responsibilities clearly and have an easier time abiding by the contract due to its clear terms.

Establish Contractual Grounds for Termination

It is ideal to retain as many employees as possible, but employee termination is sometimes necessary. If you contact a Georgia lawyer, they can help you establish and document grounds for termination in your company’s employment contract. Doing so means that you can safely terminate an employee as long as that employee has violated the employment contract’s terms.

Employment contracts in Georgia are specific and strict when it comes to grounds for termination. As a result, you should reach out to a Georgia employment contract lawyer if you require assistance with this part of the contract. Grounds for termination clauses in employment contracts also help you avoid legal issues that could arise if an employee believes that they were wrongfully terminated in violation of a contract.

Make An Appointment with Us Today

If you are looking for an Atlanta contract lawyer, look no further than DeLong, Caldwell, Bridgers, Fitzpatrick, and Benjamin LLC. Our law firm can provide you with great legal assistance with employment contracts because of our expertise, integrity, and experience. Call us today or visit our website to make an appointment with us. We even offer free consultations for your convenience. We stand ready to give you the legal help that you need. Contact our office by visiting our website for excellent legal assistance!