Performance Appraisals: Georgia

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: C. R. Wright, Fisher Phillips

Summary

• Generally, Georgia law does not restrict private communications involving opinions, such as performance appraisals, particularly when those communications are kept confidential between management and the employee. See Employer Liability Regarding Performance Appraisals.
• With respect to performance appraisals, employees may file claims based on defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, employers have a number of defenses to these claims. See Employer Liability Regarding Performance Appraisals.
• Georgia has laws requiring equal pay for equal work, as well as prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of disability, age or religion. These employee protections should be kept in mind when evaluating job performance. See Performance Appraisals and Discrimination.
• Georgia law allows individuals to bring claims for negligent hiring or negligent retention of an employee under some circumstances. See Negligent Retention.
• Atlanta has requirements pertaining to performance appraisals. See Local Requirements.