Returning To Work After Coronavirus

Breken Terry discusses unemployment after non-essential businesses open again.

As we continue our in-depth look at unemployment.

The state says more than 100 thousand people are collecting benefits after losing their job because of coronavirus.

The good news is when non- essential businesses open again, some of those people will get their job back.

But if they don't go back, they don't get paid.

Waay 31's breken terry is live to break down the situation some of you are likely to face next month.

An employment attorney told me his phone is ringing off the hook.

A lot of you working remotely want to know what happens if you're ordered back to workor the office-- but don't feel safe?

He said the answer is pretty simple.

Emerson- not anything you can do to fight it because the company ultimately has the right to set the terms and conditions of work.

Employment attorney bo emerson explained there are a few reasons you can refuse to return when businesses re-open after flattening the coronavirus curve.

Emerson- you need a positive test, a positive determination that you've been exposed and in quarantine, or you need a medical excuse from a doctor that says your at high risk and the doctor is taking you off work until that risk has passed.

And, if you don't meet that criteria and don't go back to work..

Emerson- you could be subject to being insubordinate being terminated for failing to honor their request.

That means.

Emerson: you have to come back to work or risk losing future unemployment benefits.

Benefits currently include an extra six hundred dollars a month from the federal government.

Emerson: so there could be a great enticement to stay out of work and recieve those beneifits but the employer gets to make that decision.

The alabama department of labor knows the temptation.

On thursday, the department sent this release.

It says if you're getting unemployment benefits, but your employer is ready for you to return and you don't... it could be fraud.

Emerson told me your best option is to talk with your employer about safety options.

Emerson- if your successfully working remotely they may allow you to stay out but ultimately it will be the decision of the employer so if they want you to come back you're going to have to come back.

The alabama department of labor created a new website so employers can report employees for not coming back to work.

We have those links on our website