About the Alabama Department of Labor |
The Department Excellence in customer service is our primary focus at the Alabama Department of Labor . As a cabinet-level department of state government, Alabama Department of Labor provides services which have considerable impact on the economic well-being of all Alabamians. It is a core partner in Alabama’s Career Center System which provides one-stop employment and training services as mandated by the Workforce Investment Act. Our job is not just to hand out unemployment checks to those that qualify. We help people find new jobs and help employers find the workers they need. We also assist both employers and workers to resolve workers' compensation issues. These efforts save taxpayer dollars and help keep people off the welfare rolls. There are five operational divisions in our department which work to improve the quality of life for our citizens as well as improve the business climate for Alabama employers. They are: Employment Service (ES), Unemployment Compensation (UC), Workers' Compensation (WC), Labor Market Information (LMI), and Inspections (Mining, Boilers & Elevators). Each of these divisions must meet statutory standards of quality, while maintaining a delicate balance between the interest of individuals and the interests of business. Alabama Department of Labor is working hard to build partnerships with employers, the community, and governmental agencies to provide a better economic climate for Alabama’s workforce and employers. The remaining sections on this page outline these services as well
as the overall missions of the five divisions. If you need further information
on any of our services, please contact either the central office at
(334) 242-8055,
or call one of the local offices in your area. The Alabama Department of Labor organizational
chart can be downloaded here (*pdf). |
The Unemployment Compensation (UC) division is built around one central idea: a worker who loses his job, through no fault of his own, deserves financial help. It benefits employers because it enables them to keep their workforce together during short-term layoffs. It aids individuals by providing them with basic sustenance money until they become re-employed. Both groups also profit because unemployment insurance helps stabilize local economies during a recession. Administration of the UC program is completely funded by Federal Unemployment Taxes (FUTA). Every effort is taken to make this division customer-service oriented through the use of telephone claims, streamlined operations, and expanded services. These improvements have been implemented while maintaining a low unemployment compensation tax rate for Alabama employers. This division strives to keep the employer community up-to-date on available programs and other items of interest. This is accomplished in the following ways:
For further information on any of these services contact the UC division
at (334) 242-8025. |
This division humanizes the Alabama workplace through its protective effort for employees and employers. It administers the Alabama Workers' Compensation (WC) law providing compensation for job related injuries and occupational diseases. In so doing. safety in the workplace is encouraged and expanded for all workers. The law requires all job-related injuries to be reported to the insurance carrier which will in turn file the Employer's First Report of Injury to this division. A record must be kept on all jobrelated injuries and reported to this division until the final compensation is issued. This division has a compliance section which promotes employer compliance with the Alabama law. There are field examiners in different areas of the state which enforce compliance with the law to provide each employee the same benefits. There are five ways Alabama employers may purchase workers' compensation coverage:
WC rates have stabilized since the passage of the 1992 WC Reform Act and rate stabilization will continue to be a high priority in this division. Two key items in the reform have been responsible for this cost containment: a cap on the amount providers may charge; and initiation of an ombudsman mediation program to resolve disputes, resulting in reduced legal expenses. The following additional services are provided by WC to better serve Alabama employers:
For further information on these services, contact the WC division at (334) 956-4044 or 1-800-528-5166. |
The basic function of the Alabama State employment Service is the matching and referral of qualified job seekers with employer's job openings. The employment service provides assistance in job referral. employability development activities, and job development as well as occupational and training information. Employers pay for this service through federal unemployment taxes. There is never a fee for employers or applicants. The employment service has proved itself for more than 60 years to be an efficient. cost-effective system for putting people and jobs together. On any one day, the employment service has access to thousands of job seekers locally, statewide, and across the nation. Local employment service offices are available to provide:
Please contact your nearest local office for more information. |
The Labor Market Information (LMI) Division collects and analyzes labor market data for dissemination to employers, economic developers, those researching job markets, and other interested individuals. The division is the primary source responsible for providing information about Alabama’s population, employment, unemployment, and wages. Labor Market Information uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics programs, including Current Employment and Wages, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, and Occupational Employment Statistics. On August 7, 1998, President Bill Clinton signed the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) integrating the Wagner-Peyser plan into the State Workforce Development plan and requiring public labor exchange activities to be a part of the one-stop system. Subsequently, Governor Siegelman designated the LMI Division as the single state agency responsible for the management of Alabama’s statewide employment statistics system in accordance with Section 15 of WIA. The Labor Market Information Division provides services through various means in order to reach a broad audience. Labor market data is available by individual phone request, presentations, publications, and the Internet as well. Publications available by request include: Annual Average Labor Force Estimates, LMI Bulletin, Alabama Labor Market News, 2001 Edition Alabama Wage Survey, Occupational Trends 1998-2008, 2000 Career Exploration Guide, and the Occupational Employment Statistics Survey. Affirmative action data and the Consumer Price Index are also available by request. The Internet site (labor.alabama.gov/lmi) contains information such as wage data, current unemployment rates, initial claims information, non-agricultural wage and salary data, and a division directory. The site also provides an on-line order form for the division’s publications. Other services of the LMI Division include:
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Inspections (Mining, Boilers & Elevators) Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation In addition to the obvious benefits to Alabama in the elimination of mine-related safety hazards and improvements to the environment, the program has impacted positively on many local economies as dollars are spent on the reclamation process. Mine Safety and Inspection This section maintains a large collection of underground mine maps dating back to the late 1800's. Since the presence of abandoned mines can be a critical factor in the structural stability of potential building sites, developers have found Alabama Department of Labor's maps to be invaluable in siting new structures and avoiding subsidence-prone areas. Employers of all types who exemplify a high level of safety consciousness in their everyday operations, as evidenced by no lost time injuries over periods of 6, 12, or 24 months, are recognized through the Alabama Workplace Safety Award Program. Surface Mining of Non-fuel Minerals |