The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) has earned the “Model Agency Award” for Excellence in Human Resources from the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), achieving the highest assessment results (97.6%) among all Tier 1 agencies. The award reflects GDOL’s exceptional HR leadership, strong compliance practices, and a workforce strategy that supports service delivery across the state. It also comes at a pivotal moment in GDOL’s bold transformation and underscores the agency’s commitment to building a modern, people‑centered organization that delivers stronger, faster, and more responsive services to Georgians every day. 

“Behind every service we deliver to Georgians is a team of dedicated professionals who make it possible,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “As we modernize our systems and reimagine how we serve workers and employers, this recognition reflects the leadership of our Human Resources team and the culture we are building — one where talented people can grow, lead, and deliver meaningful results. GDOL’s workforce is the catalyst for this transformation, and when we invest in our people, Georgians feel the difference.”  

The DOAS HR Assessment evaluates how well agencies understand and apply human resources laws, policies, and best practices. GDOL’s Tier I designation reflects strong compliance and a people-first approach that reduces risk and supports an engaged workforce. 

In addition to evaluating compliance, the assessment provides agencies with valuable insights into their HR programs, identifies opportunities for continued growth, and offers a comparative benchmark across executive branch agencies statewide. 

“We are proud of this achievement, which reflects our commitment to strong HR practices and continuous improvement,” said Lee Rudd, GDOL chief human resources officer. “By combining best practices with data-driven decision-making, we are cultivating a high-performing, engaged and future-ready team.” 

“We value our partnership with the Georgia Department of Labor and commend their HR team for achieving the ‘Model Agency Award,” said Latatia West, program manager at DOAS. “This recognition reflects GDOL’s strong commitment to excellence and it should be specifically noted that among the Tier 1 agencies, the Georgia Department of Labor had the highest assessment results at 97.6%.” 

This recognition reinforces the foundation GDOL is building for its future. The Model Agency Award affirms that the agency’s progress is rooted in strong people practices and a culture that empowers employees to deliver the level of service Georgians expect and deserve. The GDOL HR team strengthens the agency at its core and moves Georgia closer to becoming the undisputed Top State for Talent.  

For questions regarding the DOAS HR Assessment, please contact the Human Resources Administration Division at [email protected].