The Peach State's most senior executive in charge statewide employment issues is the Georgia Labor Commissioner. The Commissioner and his Department manage all of Georgia and the United States governments' rules related to work, places of work, training for work, and disabled workers. Corporations, companies, and employees look to the Department of Labor for direction and information on policies, rules, and laws in this area. Generally, leaders in these roles focus their efforts on activities to improve the competencies and abilities of employees. Skilled workers can improve the economy by working more efficiently and effectively.
4,000 people work for the Commissioner in all of Georgia's 159 counties. While the primary headquarters of the agency are in Atlanta, there are agency offices all over the state, including 45 so-called one-stop offices that provide educational and learning opportunities for workers. There are also 53 offices to help job seekers, and 50 offices that provide specialized services for disabled employees in rehabilitative programs.
The Department also acts as the Georgian interface with federal agencies involved in employment issues, including the US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
Many Georgians seek out services related to unemployment benefits. The agency coordinates the delivery of funds to those who are out of work. It also provides information on training and services to help job seekers. This service area has been very busy during the Great Recession. The current unemployment rate in the State has hovered around 10 percent.
The agency provides in depth analysis and reporting on employment statistics through its Workforce Information and Analysis unit. The unit provides outlook documents on the long- and short-term prospects for growth in various industries, information on worker training and development, and other reports to help workforce-planning professionals.
One important role that the Georgian agency and all such agencies play is in promoting safe and healthy work environments. Georgia's department provides a number of such services. They have extensive information on regulations related to ensuring safety in a number of specialized industries, such as HVAC, chemicals, amusements, and bungee jumping. The agency also plays an important role in coordinating a statewide group that provides voluntary consultation services to small, mid-size, and large business looking to improve their safety. One such partnership sends Georgia Tech experts to a business to assist in improving workplace safety.
The voters of Georgia elect the Commissioner on the same ballot that includes candidates for governor, lieutenant government, secretary of state, and attorney general. Similarly, Georgians vote for three regulatory executive commissioners who have responsibility for issues that the people care greatly about - labor, agriculture, and insurance regulation. The current Georgia Labor Commissioner, Michael Thurmond, was elected in 1998. He is a Democrat.
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