Georgia's Law on Employment Discrimination:

Georgia's employment discrimination laws are enshrined in the Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA), which forbids employers from discriminating against employees based on certain characteristics.

Protected Attributes:

The following attributes are protected against employment discrimination under Georgia law:

1. Race
2. Color
3. Religion
4. National origin
5. Disability
6. Age (40 and older)
7. Sex (including pregnancy)

Employers with 15 or more employees cannot discriminate against job seekers or employees based on these protected attributes. Discrimination can include being fired, not being offered a job, receiving lower compensation or benefits, or suffering from harassment.

How to protect employees and yourself:

Employers can avoid discrimination claims and protect their employees by doing the following:

1. Write a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy - Employers must have written policies in place that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on the protected characteristics. Policies must be communicated to all employees in writing, ideally as part of an employee handbook or manual.
2. Train employees - All employees, including managers and supervisors, must be trained to recognize and prevent discrimination. Gaining knowledge of the law and company policies, supervisors will be able to disseminate this knowledge to their staff thereby creating a culture that promotes anti-discrimination.
3. Implement anti-discriminatory practices - Company practices such as hiring, promoting, and disciplining employees must be unbiased, based on objective criteria such as experience, knowledge, and skills.
4. Maintain comprehensive records - Employers should maintain accurate records on all employment practices and decision-making processes to demonstrate compliance with the law.
5. Promptly respond to complaints of discrimination - Complaints of discrimination should be promptly and thoroughly investigated. Employers must take prompt and effective corrective action in cases where discrimination has occurred.

Summing-up

In conclusion, employers must comply with Georgia's FEPA law to protect their employees and themselves from discrimination lawsuits. By creating an anti-discriminatory environment and implementing policies and responsive systems to deal with any complaints, you will protect your employees and yourself from discrimination claims. It is advisable to seek legal advice to ensure you are thoroughly informed of your obligations and options to protect your employees from discrimination.