Alabama Maternity Leave
By federal law Alabama allows new mothers to take twelve weeks of
unpaid maternity leave without the risk of losing a job. Maternity
leave protects a woman's job for personal and medical reasons towards
her health or that of her child. Maternity leave also includes time
allowance for a new mother to bond with her child or adoptive parents
to bond with their child.
In Alabama maternity leave is to be used continuously. This means that
the twelve weeks must be taken in a row and not split up throughout
several months. Under FMLA a woman will return to her former occupation
following maternity leave at the same salary. Under Alabama law an
employer has the right to deny a request to return to part-time work
prior to the twelve-week maternity completion.
Alabama Wage Law
The state of Alabama states that no individual working within the state
is to be paid less than seven dollars and twenty-five cents an hour.
This is the minimum wage requirement for the state. Alabama complies
with the federal plan for wages rather than creating its own plan for
wages.
Alabama Hiring and Firing
The state of Alabama does not have any laws requiring an individual to
be hired upon application. Under this Alabama is considered an
employ-at-will state where the employer may hire an individual at his
or her own discretion as well as fire an individual.
The only requirement for hiring or firing employees includes
non-discriminatory reasoning. Under these laws an individual may not be
denied employment because of national origin, race, age, gender,
disability, religion, or color, nor can an individual be fired for
these reasons. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requires
employers to stand by federal laws.
Employee Duties
Alabama law requires that an employment establishment provide a safe
environment for employees. Safety devices are required within the
establishment where an employee may protect him or herself or others
when necessary. Trespassers do not fall under this requirement.
Employers are also required to maintain and repair the establishment as
necessary for safety purposes.
Alabama Right to Work Law
Alabama residents have the right to employment despite belonging to or
not belonging to a labor organization or labor union. Membership to a
labor union cannot be required upon employment as it is against public
policy nor can an employer prohibit an employee from joining a labor
union. An employer also cannot require a former employee to remain a
member of a labor union.
Employers are not allowed to require union due payments as employment
conditions along with such charges or fees. However an employer does
have the right to deny an individual employment or withdraw employment
if the individual violates Alabama law sections 25-7-32, 25-7-34, or
25-7-33.
Jury Duty Laws
Alabama law requires than employers allow absence from employment for
the purposes of jury duty. Under this law an employee cannot be
penalized. An employer is required to provide compensation to the
summoned full-time employee for the time of his or her absence. An
employee is first required to present the summons to his or her
employer at least one day prior to attendance.