GDOL Commissioner Holmes Delivers Major Milestones in Agency Overhaul
Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
Building on a comprehensive overhaul begun in 2025, Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes today announced major milestones in modernizing the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), delivering on her mandate to slash red tape, eliminate waste, and make GDOL run at the speed of Georgia’s economy. Through her Red Tape Task Force, GDOL continues to overhaul outdated legacy systems to deliver faster, reliable results for job seekers and businesses.
“When we set out to reform this department in 2025, we promised Georgians an agency built on speed, transparency, and accountability,” said Commissioner Rivera Holmes. “We aren’t just making plans; we are delivering real, measurable results. By aggressively cutting red tape, rooting out fraud, and upgrading our core technology, we are turning the Georgia Department of Labor into an agile, highly responsive partner for Georgia’s workforce.”
Under Commissioner Rivera Holmes’ leadership, GDOL is actively executing the largest operational and technological modernization in agency history, replacing legacy unemployment software with modern infrastructure. Guided by the roadmap set in the GDOL Strategic Plan, ongoing task force updates have already overhauled outdated Georgia Employer Rules, simplified administrative requirements, and shifted agency communications into clear plain language.
Proven Results in Motion:
- Accelerated Processing: Faster claim turnarounds and employer response times.
- Streamlined Rules: Updated, simplified employer compliance and wage reporting regulations.
- Plain-Language Shift: Active rollout of clear, accessible communication across public platforms.
- Safeguard Enhancements: Advanced fraud prevention measures to actively protect taxpayer dollars.
These operational overhauls are part of a broader strategy to strengthen Georgia’s workforce infrastructure and align department resources with the state’s dynamic economic growth. By expanding talent pipelines, supporting record labor force participation, and partnering closely with regional employers, GDOL is ensuring that Georgia remains the Top State for Business and a Top State for Talent – and that the state’s labor market remains among the most resilient and competitive in the nation.
“In 2025, we promised systemic change, and that momentum is accelerating; we aren't just tweaking the margins,” Commissioner Rivera Holmes added. “We will keep pushing to eliminate barriers, restore public trust, and remove friction for workers and job creators so every Georgian can connect directly to a high-quality, mortgage-paying career.”
For more information about GDOL’s modernization efforts, visit dol.georgia.gov.
