When it comes to the best states to work, Alabama ranks #49. Our state lawmakers have fought against raising workplace standards for decades. But Alabamians shouldn’t give up on their rights.

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Alabama workers have rights.

This information can help workers in Alabama advocate for themselves and for labor policies that can make life better for workers across the state.

Workplace Safety
Overtime, Wages, Leave
Workers Compensation
Discrimination
Building Power in the Workplace
Filing a Complaint

You have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

 

Your workplace must be reasonably free of known health and safety hazards. You also must receive information and training about job hazards.

COVID-19

Employers must take reasonable steps to lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure by keeping the workplace clean, allowing for social distancing, and providing protective equipment like masks and plexiglass barriers.

Hazardous Materials

Employers must provide ventilation and personal protective equipment to workers using paints, adhesives, or chemicals that emit potentially hazardous fumes or switching to less hazardous materials.

Injuries

Employers must repair broken equipment that could injure workers.

In Alabama, employers must establish a safety committee if any employee requests one.

Committees must include at least three members, including a non-supervisory employee. They provide safety information, including employee suggestions, to the employer and create safety reporting procedures.

You have the right to a minimum wage.

 

Federal law sets the minimum wage at $7.25.

You must be paid for every hour you work, including work before and/or after your scheduled shift and time spent traveling during the workday.

Tipped worker rates: Tipped workers in certain industries can make less than the minimum wage when the reduced wage + any tips is at or above the minimum wage. The tipped wage is set by the law, not by the employer.

Overtime: If you work more than 40 hours in a week, your employer must pay at least 1.5 times your regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40.

Prevailing wage: Employees of government contractors working on public works projects must be paid a prevailing wage rate and receive certain benefits.

Did you know? Alabama state law prevents cities and towns in our state from enacting their own, higher minimum wage laws. That’s not the case in other states.

You may have the right to take family leave.

Under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), if your employer has 50 or more employees, and you have worked for them for at least 12 months, your employer is required to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for the birth or adoption of a child or for the serious illness of the employee or their spouse, child or parent. Employers may not retaliate against workers for taking FMLA.

Workers who have experienced violations may bring their own lawsuit against their employer or file a complaint with the Alabama or United States Departments of Labor. Certain businesses that contract with government agencies may be required to provide their employees with paid leave.

Over 20 states and cities require employers to provide paid sick leave.

You have the right to workers compensation.

 

You may also be eligible for compensation to cover some portion of your wages and medical treatment if you suffer an on-the job-injury, no matter who is to blame.

You have the right to a workplace free from discrimination.

 

Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of:

  • Age

  • Disability

  • Genetic information

  • National origin

  • Pregnancy

  • Race/color

  • Religion

  • Retaliation for opposing discrimination

  • Gender (including sexual harassment)

  • Equal pay/compensation

Alabama offers some extra protection against discrimination based on age. But Alabama is one of only three states that has not enacted a general anti-discrimination law to protect workers in workplaces and against discriminations that federal law does not cover.

You have the right to organize.

You and your coworkers have the right to meet and discuss workplace issues, including whether or not to be represented by a union. Employers cannot threaten, discriminate against, or otherwise take action against you for organizing or talking with your coworkers about working conditions.

For more information, or to file a complaint for violations of the law:

Wages, Overtime, Sick Leave:

Alabama Department of Labor
https://www.labor.alabama.gov/

U.S. Department of Labor
Tel: (866) 487-9243 | dol.gov/whd

Discrimination:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Tel: (800) 669-4000 | eeoc.gov

Health and Safety:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Tel: (800) 321-OSHA or (800) 321-6742 | OSHA.gov

Birmingham Area Office, Medical Forum Building
950 22nd Street North, Room 1050
Birmingham, AL 35203
Tel: (205) 731-1534

Mobile Area Office
1141 Montlimar Drive, Suite 1006
Mobile, AL 36609
Tel: (251) 441-6131


Workers Compensation:

Workers’ Compensation Division, Alabama Department of Labor
https://labor.alabama.gov/wc/workers-compensation.aspx
Tel: (800) 528-5166 or (334) 956-4044

Resident Office 10 - Birmingham, AL
1130 South 22nd Street, Suite 3400
Birmingham, AL 35205-2870
Tel: (205) 933-3018

Regional Office 10 - Atlanta, GA
233 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30303-1531
Tel: (404) 331-2896