On March 16, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of emergency proclaimed by federal and state governments, the Georgia Department of Labor issued a new Emergency Rule. This new Rule shifts the burden of filing claims for unemployment compensation from employees to employers. Specifically, starting after the week of March 15, 2020, employers must file partial unemployment claims online for any week during which an employee works less than full time due to a partial or total company shutdown resulting from COVID-19. According to the Georgia Department of Labor and guidance provided by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, the mandate requiring that employers file partial claims for all employees whose employment is affected by COVID-19 – either because of reduced hours or a temporary shutdown of business – will streamline the process and result in employees receiving benefits more quickly. Under this Emergency Rule, if an employer fails to file a claim, the employer will be required to reimburse the Commissioner the full amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid to the employee.

For more information, read the full GT Alert: “Georgia Department of Labor Issues Emergency Rule Requiring Employers to File Claims for Employees Affected By COVID-19.”

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Photo of Joshua Y. Joel Joshua Y. Joel

Joshua Joel focuses his practice on the representation of employers on matters related to discrimination, wage and hour, Family Medical Leave Act, OSHA investigations, negligent hiring and retention, and directors and officers liability. He manages pre-suit settlement negotiations, mediation, discovery, depositions, and pre-trial…

Joshua Joel focuses his practice on the representation of employers on matters related to discrimination, wage and hour, Family Medical Leave Act, OSHA investigations, negligent hiring and retention, and directors and officers liability. He manages pre-suit settlement negotiations, mediation, discovery, depositions, and pre-trial preparation. Joshua’s experience includes serving as a staff attorney for the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the defense of employers in EEOC and OSHA administrative proceedings, as well as litigation in state and federal court.

Photo of Natasha Wilson Natasha Wilson

Natasha L. Wilson focuses her practice on labor and employment law, and devotes her legal practice to representing management in all aspects of employment law, from prevention and compliance issues to arbitration and litigation. She is Chair of the Atlanta Labor & Employment

Natasha L. Wilson focuses her practice on labor and employment law, and devotes her legal practice to representing management in all aspects of employment law, from prevention and compliance issues to arbitration and litigation. She is Chair of the Atlanta Labor & Employment Practice and Co-Chair of the Labor & Employment Practice’s Corporate Restructuring & Employment Due Diligence group. Natasha has litigated a wide variety of employment issues on the federal, state and local levels before courts and administrative agencies. She works closely with her clients to provide counseling and consultation on employee matters, policy revisions, litigation prevention and the implementation of sound employment practices.

In addition to her practice, Natasha serves as the Co-Chair of the Greenberg Traurig African-American Inclusion Network (GAIN). Prior to joining the firm, Natasha was an associate with one of the largest law firms in the Southeast. Her prior litigation experience includes representation of clients in environmental and toxic tort defense and general business litigation. She also has experience in white collar criminal defense and corporate investigations, electronic discovery and digital information. Before entering law school, Natasha worked as a television journalist for seven years.