When I share that I am running for Georgia’s Labor Commissioner, the first question I hear almost every time is a simple one: What does the Labor Commissioner actually do? It is a fair question. Most Georgians only think about the Department of Labor when something breaks at work, when a paycheck comes up short, when a shift changes without notice, or when layoff paperwork feels like a maze.

And in those moments, one question always rises to the surface: Who is responsible for fixing this?

In Georgia, much of the day-to-day experience of workers and employers is managed through the Georgia Department of Labor. The agency is led by the Labor Commissioner. Understanding what this office does helps you hold the right people accountable and get help faster when you need it.

Key Responsibilities of Georgia’s Labor Commissioner

The Labor Commissioner leads the Georgia Department of Labor and is responsible for administering the state’s labor laws that GDOL oversees. In practice, that means:

• Running Unemployment Insurance (UI): Processing claims, paying eligible benefits, preventing fraud, and resolving appeals.

• Labor market information: Collecting and publishing data on jobs, wages, skills, and hiring trends to guide job seekers, employers, and policy makers.

• Employment services: Providing job search tools, referrals, and hiring events through GDOL’s career centers and digital services.

• Child labor provisions and workplace posters: Enforcing Georgia’s child labor provisions and ensuring required notices are posted for workers.

• Employer compliance and tax accounts: On-boarding new employers to the UI system, wage reporting, and audits tied to unemployment insurance.

The Commissioner sets priorities, manages the budget and technology systems that make all this work, and represents the department before the legislature and the public.

How the Georgia Department of Labor Serves Job Seekers

When you’re between jobs, changing careers, or trying to move up, GDOL is your front door to benefits, openings, and data that helps you make smart choices. Job seekers can:

• File and manage UI claims and appeals, check payment status, and get guidance on eligibility and over-payments.

• Get help in person or online through career centers, including resume reviews, interview prep, application support, and hiring events.

• Search and apply for current job openings using GDOL’s job board and employer partnerships.

• Get referrals to training and apprenticeships through regional partners like  WorkSource Georgia when a credential is the bridge to your next role.

• Access labor market information, such as which careers pay, who’s hiring, typical wages by county/metro, and required skills.

• Tap into rapid response services after a layoff for fast UI guidance, job leads, and retraining options.

• Learn about youth and teen employment rules regarding work permits, hours, and restricted occupations.

• Find veteran-specific resources and priority services, including translation of military experience into civilian job skills.

How the Georgia Department of Labor Serves Employers

GDOL helps employers find talent, meet compliance requirements, and plan staffing with better data so the hiring process is more efficient. Employers can:

• Post jobs on GDOL platforms and host hiring events at career centers to reach local candidates.

• Set up and manage UI tax accounts, file wage reports, and get assistance with audits and account questions.

• Understand child labor rules and obtain the required work certificates, and download state and federal workplace posters in one place.

• Use labor market data to plan wages, staffing levels, and locations since the data allows them to see local supply of skills, turnover trends, and pay benchmarks.

• Request candidate pre-screening and referrals tailored to your openings and shift needs.

• Coordinate rapid response during layoffs or closures to support affected workers and meet legal notice requirements.

• Explore on-the-job training and apprenticeship partnerships with WorkSource Georgia to build talent pipelines.

• Get guidance on UI claims management (including separations, appeals, and documentation) to reduce errors and improve compliance.

Why The Labor Commissioner Matters to Everyday Georgians

UI benefits, job referrals, and local labor data directly affect how quickly people recover from a job loss or move into better roles. Because when you lose a job, time and clarity matter. When you are searching for a better opportunity, data and referrals matter. When your teenager wants a summer job, safe and legal work matters. And when a plant closes, coordination and compassion matter.

I understand these experiences because I have lived them from every side. I have worked in Georgia. I have been a teacher, a veteran, and a small business owner navigating payroll, hiring, and compliance. I have founded a nonprofit that supports thousands of women and families, and I have witnessed firsthand how delays, outdated systems, and unclear processes impact real people trying to stay afloat. These lived experiences shape how I will lead Georgia’s workforce system with urgency, fairness, and care.

The Georgia Labor Commissioner cannot change federal law, but the office can improve state systems by implementing faster websites, fairer appeals processes, clearer data, stronger local partnerships, and a comprehensive plan that serves every county in Georgia. Understanding what GDOL does and how it differs from federal agencies helps workers and employers reach the right office and use available services with confidence.

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