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Georgia - Jury Duty Employer Obligations
Georgia - Jury Duty Employer Obligations
Georgia - Jury Duty and Work | Employer Obligations
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| Does my employer have to give me leave for jury duty in Georgia?
In Georgia, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.
Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.
| Does my employer have to pay me for days I served on a jury in Georgia?
No state law compels an employer to pay wages to employee responding to summons or attending jury service.
In 1989 the Attorney General issued an opinion that employers should pay wages during jury leave.
A 1998 opinion also states that employees not paid wages for jury leave can commence civil action against their employers.
Paying employees for during leave for jury duty has become an adopted practice in many counties of Georgia.
You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of Georgia for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.
| Can I be disciplined or punished for missing work for jury duty in Georgia?
In Georgia, an employer or agent of such employer may not threaten, discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, or communicate the intention to take any action against an employee summoned and attending for jury duty.
You should be sure to show your employer your Georgia jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.
| What happens if I am disciplined by my employer in Georgia?
Any employer or agent of such employer found guilty of threatening, discharging, disciplining, or otherwise penalizing an employee for responding a summons or attending jury service will be liable to the employee for all actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees of the employee.
If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.