Digital Media Center
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Gate 61
920 Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0370
(800) 654-4262

© 2024 Alabama Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Officials Cracking Down On Misclassified Workers

State Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington says all but two counties saw declines in unemployment in August.
Shelton State Community College
State Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington says all but two counties saw declines in unemployment in August.

Alabama's Labor Department has agreed to work with the U.S. Department of Labor to crack down on businesses that classify people as independent contractors when they are really regular employees.

Alabama Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington and the U.S. Department of Labor's regional director for the wage and hour division, Wayne Kotowski, signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday in Montgomery. Kotowski said Alabama is the 16th state to sign an agreement to share information and coordinate enforcement.

He said employees incorrectly listed as independent contractors are often denied family and medical leave, overtime pay, minimum wage pay and unemployment insurance.

Washington says more than 1,500 misclassified workers were found in Alabama last year and that the problem is growing.

Related Content
News from Alabama Public Radio is a public service in association with the University of Alabama. We depend on your help to keep our programming on the air and online. Please consider supporting the news you rely on with a donation today. Every contribution, no matter the size, propels our vital coverage. Thank you.