Business Rights
As Alabama’s economy begins to open in the coming days and weeks, there is important information to know regarding business rights.

What does a business do if employees refuse to return to work because they are making more money with their unemployment benefits?
From the Alabama Department Labor (ADOL), “Unemployment benefits of any kind are not available to employees who quit without good work-related cause, refuse to return to available work, or refuse to receive full-time pay. Refusing to return to available work could result in a disqualification for benefit eligibility. Attempts to collect unemployment benefits after quitting a job without good work-related cause is considered to be fraud. The CARES Act specifically provides for serious consequences for fraudulent cases including fines confinement and an inability to receive future unemployment benefits until all fraudulent claims and fines have been repaid. Employers are encouraged to utilize the New Hire system to report those employees who fail to return to work.”

As an employer, make sure you communicate with your laid-off employees as quickly as possible when it comes to having a proposed date of recall.

If the employee(s) refuse to return to work once you have recalled them back, create a roster with the business name, employee name, social security number, date laid off and date recalled. Then, email the roster to newhire@labor.alabama.gov. If an employee refuses to return to work, you should inform them in writing that ADOL has been notified you have offered them work and the unemployment benefits will end.

The New Hire system can be found here.

For additional information, visit ADOL’s website.

Funding Resources
Additional funding resources for your business can be found below.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
NASE has partnered with Dell to sponsor the Growth Grant program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Members of NASE, who are in good standing three months prior to submitting an application, could receive up to $4,000 for their small business. For more information and to apply, click here.

The Wealth Edit Pivot Fund for Women Entrepreneurs
The Wealth Edit provides financial counseling for women, and they have now created the Pivot Fund to assist women currently in business or preparing to launch a business. The grant is for $25,000 and your application must be received by May 18. For more information on the grant and how to apply, click here.