District Office Spotlight: What Makes Our Atlanta Team Stand Out

Discover how the Atlanta District Office of the Wage and Hour Division stands out through its impactful work and dedication to justice.

As one of the nation's fastest-growing metro areas, Atlanta is known not only for its vibrant culture but also as a key birthplace of the civil rights movement. Home to historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Atlanta remains a beacon of social justice with landmarks like the National Center for Civil and Human Rights .

Why is this office unique?

Much like the city itself, our Atlanta District Office is driven by a strong commitment to justice and progress, ensuring workers’ rights are protected across all industries. We work across the entire range of laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division , handling everything from agricultural cases, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, government contracts and more. What sets us apart is our commitment to developing our staff, both personally and professionally. Many of our employees have advanced within the agency, so we take pride in the skills and experience they’ve gained while working here.

One of the key factors in our success is how we engage and empower our team. We ensure they have access to the right training and mentorship when they need it, and we emphasize that their contributions extend beyond a typical 9-to-5 job—it’s about making a real, personal difference. The work we do directly impacts people's lives. For example, we've had cases where workers living in their cars received thousands in back wages, completely changing their circumstances. Our team understands that the skills developed here are invaluable to the agency’s mission and the people we serve.

High volume and significant impact

We are a high-volume office and handle complaints involving every law this agency enforces. Since October 2020, the Atlanta office has concluded over 3,300 investigations that led to nearly $15 million in back wages and liquidated damages for over 17,000 workers. The Southeast region, particularly Georgia, has a long history of worker exploitation, low wages and limited union representation. For many workers, we are the only resource available for wage enforcement since state protections are minimal. The extent of experience gained here is significant, but it also means the workload is extensive. Our team is dedicated to making a difference, and we consistently identify and address egregious cases of worker exploitation.

In child labor enforcement, for example, we’ve issued more than $1.78 million in civil money penalties this fiscal year, the highest penalties in the region. This not only reflects our commitment to addressing violations but also sends a strong message to businesses across all industries that violations will not be tolerated.

Partnerships and tackling major cases

Partnerships are another critical element of our work. For instance, our collaboration with the UFW Foundation in South Georgia allows us to quickly redirect resources to address serious transportation violations, ensuring that workers were being transported safely and preventing accidents. Additionally, as part of the Georgia Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking Task Force, we work closely with law enforcement, advocacy groups and state agencies to combat trafficking. This coordinated approach strengthens our enforcement efforts and amplifies the protection of vulnerable workers.

Strike forces and agricultural compliance

One standout feature of the Atlanta office is the team’s passion for our strike force operations, which are organized efforts designed to swiftly address compliance in high-priority areas like agriculture and hospitality. These operations often take our team out of town, and while the work can be intense, our staff finds joy in coming together for these large-scale actions. This year alone, we've conducted three strike forces, not only strengthening workplace protections but also fostering a strong team bond and a shared sense of accomplishment.

As we grow and strengthen our team, our commitment to protecting workers’ rights in Georgia and the Southeast remains unchanged. Through tackling major cases, forming crucial partnerships and executing impactful enforcement operations, we make a real difference in people’s lives and drive positive change in workplaces across the region.

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