All Gas South employees will begin earning a $15 minimum wage – more than double the federal rate – effective September 1. The change will result in pay increases for approximately 25 percent of the company’s workforce and will primarily impact employees in Gas South’s customer care department.

Gas South, one of the Southeast’s leading providers of natural gas, has approximately 200 employees and has tripled the size of its workforce over the last five years.

“At Gas South, our team members are our most important resource,” said Meredith Hodges, Gas South vice president of human resources and external affairs. “For us to deliver on our goal of providing a No.1 customer experience, we also have to be a top place to work. To that end, we strive to provide our employees with excellent pay, great benefits, collegial working relationships and exciting career opportunities.”

Other benefits offered to all Gas South employees include:

· 100% coverage of employee health insurance premiums with additional  contributions toward coverage for family members

· Annual 401(k) defined contribution of 8 percent of an employee’s salary

· 401(k) retirement plan with a match up to 4.5 percent of an employee’s salary

· An annual bonus incentive determined by company and individual performance

· Up to $5,000 a year for educational reimbursement

Gas South also recently announced a sabbatical program that provides each employee with an additional four-week block of paid leave every five years. In addition, employees receive a minimum of 16 days of paid time off per year.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and Georgia’s minimum wage is $5.15 per hour.

“Stagnating wages and income inequality are challenging social issues for our country, and businesses like Gas South have the opportunity to make a difference,” said Kevin Greiner, Gas South president and CEO. “Ensuring that each member of our team earns a living wage is personally important to me and our leadership team. A minimum $15 per hour wage, along with a very competitive benefits package, training programs, and open and honest communications, help us to attract and retain the very best employees.”