Georgia onboarding checklist for employers
An onboarding checklist makes sure every new hire gets the same paperwork, notices and training. Here is what changes when the employee works in Georgia.
Georgia rules that affect this form
| Minimum wage | $7.25 per hour (federal minimum applies) |
|---|---|
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate, and state law preempts local sick leave ordinances. Employers with 25+ employees that already offer sick leave must let employees working 30+ hours a week use up to 5 days a year to care for immediate family (O.C.G.A. 34-1-10). |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement for adult employees. |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement. |
| Other rules to know | Kin care: employers with 25+ employees that offer sick leave must allow up to 5 days a year of it for family care (O.C.G.A. 34-1-10). State law (O.C.G.A. 34-4-3.1) preempts local wage and benefit mandates, so cities and counties cannot set their own minimum wage or sick leave rules. Verify |
What to include
- Form I-9 completed by the end of the employee's third day of work
- Federal W-4 and the state withholding form, if the state has one
- Report the new hire to the state new-hire registry
- Required state and federal workplace posters and written notices
- Paid sick leave, break and overtime rules explained in plain terms
- Handbook acknowledgment signed and filed
Need a custom version?
Generate a onboarding checklist tailored to your company and Georgia with the AI document generator.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official Georgia onboarding checklist form?
Georgia does not publish one required onboarding checklist for private employers. Use a clear template and make sure it reflects the Georgia rules on this page.
What is the minimum wage in Georgia in 2026?
$7.25 per hour (federal minimum applies), effective July 24, 2009. Georgia's own minimum wage is $5.15 (employers of 6+), which is below federal, so the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers. State law preempts local minimum wage ordinances, and no 2027 increase is scheduled.
Is paid sick leave required in Georgia?
No statewide mandate, and state law preempts local sick leave ordinances. Employers with 25+ employees that already offer sick leave must let employees working 30+ hours a week use up to 5 days a year to care for immediate family (O.C.G.A. 34-1-10).
Other Georgia forms
Onboarding Checklist by state
This page is general information for employers, not legal advice. Employment laws change and can vary by city and county. Confirm details with the state labor department or an employment attorney. Read our disclaimer.