In a certain stage of life and career advancement, the majority of us are willing to create their own business. Knowledge and experience accumulated over the years give us the basis and confidence that we will be able to create something of our own independently, to leave our mark, but precisely the first steps we have made are crucial for the successful future of our business. Every person that is planning to start a business will eventually come up with the next bunch of questions: How to start? What risks do we face? How do we turn the idea into reality? How to find capital? What skills do we need?
Here is the thing, there is no clear formula on how to start a successful business. There is no precise recipe. It’s a combination of luck, being in the right place at the right time, your skills, a clear vision on how you want your business to look like and, of course, people, your team. Because it’s people you will work with, it’s people that will breathe life into your company and support your ideas. So, it can be said that one of the most important part, the ingredient of your success the most valuable asset are employees. As an employer, you need to understand that the key to business development is motivated employees. To reach an agreement with employees and, therefore let your business blossom, you need to research local labor laws.
It’s especially important if you plan to create a business in a foreign location, for example in Georgia, where are absolutely different labor laws. Here is the thing about Georgia, it’s a country with countless opportunities and, moreover Georgian government supports foreign investors and newbies in the business sphere. When the company is planning to enter a new foreign market of Georgia, the first question that pops in mind is how to hire a local labor force. Here I present you a guide on how to hire and work with locals in Georgia.
The Most Important Thing – Holidays and Leaves.
The most important thing to know about Georgians is that religion has a very special place in locals’ heart. So the first thing you should discuss is Holidays. Many Georgian holidays matchup with traditional Christian holidays. Georgia has 17 public holidays each year: New Year’s Day, New Year Holiday, Orthodox Christmas Day, Orthodox Epiphany, Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, Independence Restoration Day, Orthodox Good Friday, Orthodox Easter Saturday, Orthodox Easter Sunday, Orthodox Easter Monday, Victory Day, Saint Andrew the First Called Day, Independence Day, Saint Mary’s Day, Svetitskhovloba, Saint George’s Day. However, this law is not is not unconditionally binding. The employer has a right to negotiate with the employee about holidays and leaves.
Georgian laws also state that every worker has a right to take up to 15 unpaid leaves and 24 paid leaves. By agreement of the parties, an employee may be granted leave even prior to the expiration of the said term. Beginning from the second year of work, by agreement of the parties, an employee may be granted the leave at any time of the year. An employee, upon request, is entitled to a total maternity leave of 730 calendar days to cover pregnancy, delivery, and childcare. From these 730 days, 183 calendar days will be paid, while in the case of a complicated delivery or if a mother gives birth to two or more infants – 200 calendar days of paid leave will be granted. Also, the employer is entitled to provide the employee with the opportunity of sick leaves.
Create a Stress-Free Schedule.
Companies all over the world agree that a strict schedule or schedule that allows employees to overwork will reduce the productivity of workers and, therefore, slow down the development of your startup. We often hear the phrase work hard, play hard. But where are the limits? In Georgia, employers are advised to create a schedule that allows employees to work not more than 48 hours per week. But the tricky thing is, that it’s up to companies to decide whether they will follow this “advice” or not. Don’t overwork your team, stick with the standard schedule and you’ll achieve amazing results.
And note to remember, the duration of rest time between working days (shifts) shall not be less than 12 hours. Shift work and transfer from one shift to another are governed by a shift schedule approved by an employer in view of the specifics of the work. An employee shall be notified about any change in the shift schedule 10 days ahead of time unless it is impossible to do so due to extreme business necessity.
Flexible and Part-Time Job.
Another great way to reduce stress in the working environment is to restrict the way you’re working your startup. Create an opportunity of a part- time or flexible job. Here is a thing, the modern Georgian labor market consists of youth that often balances work and studying. Therefore strict schedule will only damage your business if you plan to work with locals. Flexible hours and part- time job are getting more and more recognition in Georgia.
Such type of schedule doesn’t mean that your employees won’t show up. It’s just a great opportunity for workers to complete tasks efficiently but in their own way.
Salary.
In Georgia, there is no minimum wage regulations and salary depends on the agreement with the employer. There is only one tax based on the salary which is called personal tax income and it’s 20% flat. In 2015 average monthly salary was 411 USD. The highest salary have individuals who work in a construction, financial intermediation and public administration sector.
Employment Contracts.
In Georgia, the employment contract is drawn up in written or oral form for a certain or indefinite period, as well as with the established terms for performing the work. If the contact made of more than one language, it also should be noted in the contract what language has a priority.
P.S Still are confused about Georgian legislation laws? Here is a useful link Labour Code of Georgia
P.P.S Georgian Labor Code is very flexible, so contacting an expert for more detailed information and options is probably a worthy proposition.
You might also be interested in How To Find Talented Employees In Georgia.
