Temp Worker Employer Faced Georgia Employment Violation

Morrow, GAA Georgia Employment violation that also involved employees in three other states will result in the repayment of about $78,000 in back wages to 22 foreign teachers. According to the March 11 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the US Department of Labor (DOL) concluded that Global Teachers Research and Resources Inc., (Global Teachers) of Morrow, had violated rules as they relate to the employment of nonimmigrant temp workers.

The Georgia labor laws violation was uncovered following an investigation by the Wage and Hour Division.

The company was found to have violated H-1B visa rules pertaining to the employment of teachers brought in from Australia, South Africa, India and Columbia. Global Teachers serves the learning community through the provision of teachers to school districts for the instruction of math, special education, science and Spanish.

As a result of the Georgia labor investigation, Global Teachers was found to have failed to keep adequate records of the hours worked by their employees. The company was also found to have failed to compensate workers for time spent training—activities mandated at the behest of their employer—upon their arrival in the US.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a specific incident in 2008 sparked the investigation. The incident wasn't identified. However, Global Teachers was required to compensate employees beginning in June 2008—even though the ''school'' did not actually launch until August of that year.

The Georgia employment law investigation, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covered up to 2010.

The President and founder of Global Teachers was identified as Paddy Sharma. She said that in deference to the findings of the Wage and Hour Division investigation, her company generally compensates teachers at a higher rate than what is required under H-1B guidelines. Additionally, she noted that Global Teachers paid for the employee's board, lodging, transportation and other costs for June and July 2008.

While the Georgia Labor Law violation involved employees brought to and put to work in Georgia, the investigation found violations involving immigrant temp workers in Florida, New Mexico and South Carolina as well.