Alabama Senate Bill SB100

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/22
• Refer: 1/13/22

Caption

Employment, seasonal employment procedures, established, unemployment benefits further provided, definitions

Impact

The ramifications of SB100 extend to the alteration of how seasonal employment is recognized and administered under state law. By formalizing the criteria for what constitutes a seasonal employer and establishing designated seasonal periods, the bill aims to enhance labor market transparency for both employers and seasonal workers. A primary goal is to clarify eligibility for unemployment benefits during the inactive seasonal periods, allowing seasonal workers to understand their rights and entitlements when their employment concludes for the season. This is crucial for managing seasonal employment stability and benefits.

Summary

SB100 establishes formal procedures for employers to apply for and receive seasonal employer status from the Department of Labor. This legislative measure provides a structured approach for entities that typically see a significant increase in their workforce during specific active seasonal periods, which cannot exceed six months in a calendar year. The bill includes definitions for various terms associated with seasonal work, such as 'seasonal wages' and 'seasonal temporary worker', ensuring clarity on the nature of employment within this framework.

Contention

While the bill may streamline processes for employers seeking seasonal status, some points of contention could arise from the definitions laid out and the procedures established. For instance, the determination of seasonal employer status requires employers to apply 60 days before the active season, which may be viewed as burdensome by smaller employers. Additionally, stakeholders could raise concerns around the thresholds set for seasonal employment and wages, leading to debates about fairness and adequacy of benefits for seasonal workers.