---
title: O.C.G.A. § 34-8-2. Declaration of public policy.
collection: code
id: 34-8-2
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 34-8-2 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-8-2
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-8-2.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/34-8-2/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t34-(v26)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=ba91129b_0#page=152
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS / EMPLOYMENT SECURITY / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 34-8-2. Declaration of public policy.

As a guide to the interpretation and application of this chapter, the public policy of this state is declared to be as follows: economic insecurity due to unemployment is a serious menace to the health, morals, and welfare of the people of this state. Involuntary unemployment is therefore a subject of general interest and concern which requires appropriate action by the General Assembly to prevent its spread and to lighten its burden which so often falls with crushing force upon the unemployed worker or the worker’s family. The achievement of social security requires protection against this greatest hazard of our economic life. This can be provided by encouraging employers to provide more stable employment and by the systematic accumulation of funds during periods of employment to provide benefits for periods of unemployment, thus maintaining purchasing power and limiting the serious social consequences of poor relief assistance. The General Assembly therefore declares that in its considered judgment the public good and the general welfare of the citizens of this state require the enactment of this measure, under the police powers of the state, for the compulsory setting aside of unemployment reserves to be used for the benefit of persons unemployed through no fault of their own.

## History

Code 1981, § 34-8-2, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 139, § 1.

## Law Reviews

For annual survey of law on labor and employment law, see 62 Mercer L. Rev. 181 (2010).

For comment on Meakins v. Huiet, 100 Ga. App. 557, 112 S.E.2d 167 (1959), see 11 Mercer L. Rev. 395 (1960).