I just left a job in Georgia in which I was a salaried employee after 21/2 years. I have almost 200 hours of PTO time on the books. Every employee that has ever left this practice both salaried and hourly employees has been paid for their PTO time up to 360 hours.

I left the office because the ownership of the office had changed and the new ownership would speak in very threatening and harrassing terms.

One week after I put my 2 week notice in they called a meeting and sent a memo out stating that effective immediately all PTO time would be restructured. My hours were supposebly going to be dropped from 200 hours to about 60. They were going get with me before I left to discuss what my time would be but they never did.

I have 2 questions.

1. Since I already had put in my notice - does the new PTO rule apply to me?

2. Can I file for unemployment due to the harassing nature I had been treated?

Thanks

1.) That's up to your employer. GA law does not require that PTO be paid out at termination at all.

2.) Probably not but it will depend on EXACTLY what was said.

1.) That's up to your employer. GA law does not require that PTO be paid out at termination at all.

2.) Probably not but it will depend on EXACTLY what was said.

In my company, most everyone who has asked for paid time off has recieved it, I however am being denied when I request it. What can I do? The regional manager said the district manager can pretty much discriminate the permission on paid time off. :(

FYI, it is probably best to start a new thread then tack on one from February.

I'll answer your question! Federal law nor the state of GA has legislation requiring employers to offer PTO programs. Ultimately the determining factor will depend on company policy. And "yes" the company does have the right to not payout PTO at termination. GA labor code is relatively non-existant.

From your post, I cannot determine if you are talking about PTO payouts at termination as the original OP or a random request for a day off. In either case, it's the employer prerogative of to accept or deny. No laws regulate when employees may or may not have off from work. That is the discretion of the employer. If you are being denied your PTO request, I'd suggest seeking a solution directly with your boss.

2. Can I file for unemployment due to the harassing nature I had been treated?

You would have to be able to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that you quit with good cause attributable to your employer. In other words, that you, as a reasonable person, were effectively compelled to resigne based on the employers' actions and/or inactions.

You would have to be far more specific than threatening and harassing terms - both for purposes of offering an opinion and to prevail before the Department of Labor. Moreover, most states will require a showing that you made reasonable efforts to preserve your position prior to quitting, e.g., complain.