Barrow Journal

Several amendments to Georgia’s constitution are on the November ballot. These amendments cover topics ranging from business contracts to trauma care. This year’s ballot also includes a statewide referendum relating to taxation of business inventories.

COMPETITIVE CONTRACTS

Constitutional amendment 1 relates to non-competition contracts executed between employees and their employers, partnerships and partners and others. Specifically, the ballot question asks “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to make Georgia more economically competitive by authorizing legislation to uphold reasonable competitive agreements?”

If passed, this amendment would allow the courts to not only enforce contracts that reasonably restrict competition during or after the term of employment, but would also allow the courts to modify contracts “to achieve the intent of the contracting parties.” Examples of contracts covered under this amendment would include those that prevent an employee from competing with an employer after termination of employment and agreements by sellers not to compete with a seller’s customer. [Full Story »] 

Statham reviewed its vehicle use policy at its meeting last Tuesday.

It was decided that allowing vehicles to be driven to and from work will be left up to the mayor and council’s discretion. Examples when it would be appropriate are as follows:

•managerial employees Whose personal use of a city-owned vehicle is consistent with the requirements of the position.

•employees Who are subject to hour call out or have job responsibilities requiring highly irregular work hours.

•duty vehicles designed or equipped for high priority response where response time will be enhanced by allowing the vehicle to remain in custody of individual employee. Employees assigned to duty vehicles which are taken home must be available to respond upon request on a 24-hour basis any time the employee has custody of the vehicle.
[Full Story »]