Our team put together a starting place of helpful tips and links whether you find yourself without a job or you are a business owner/manager helping employees. Note: If you run a business, be sure to read the COVID-19 Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist here and also found in this Business Toolkit section under Stay Safe. Stay Local. Stay Informed to learn about Economic Disaster Injury Loans and the Payroll Protection Program.
Steps to Take if You Become Unemployed During COVID-19
Apply for Unemployment
If you find yourself furloughed, laid off, or have seen your hours significantly reduced, you should research filing a claim for unemployment benefits. All relevant resources to file a claim for unemployment benefits are online at the Alabama Department of Labor.
https://labor.alabama.gov/unemployment.aspx
Plan Financially
Whether it is budget planning, retirement planning, mortgage planning, or any other financial planning, now is a crucial time to work with your primary bank, accountant, or financial planner to create a short-term or long-term plan. There are many of these entities that are members of the Mobile Area Chamber. For a list of this members, please use the following links:
Mobile Area Chamber Member Banks
Mobile Area Chamber Member Accountants & CPAs
Mobile Area Chamber Member Financial Planners & Consultants
Communicate with your Utility Providers
During this difficult time, our utility partners are here to help. If you should have questions about your monthly bills, you can contact your utility companies through the following links. Many of the webpages have updated information on COVID-19.
Power
Gas
Water
Take Advantage of Community Programs
There are many organizations in our community offering assistance – from food banks to charity organizations. Below are various links to community programs offered for COVID-19 assistance:
City of Mobile Parks and Recreation – Providing meals for youth
The Community Foundation of South Alabama
Mobile Area Disaster Relief Fund for those affected by COVID-19
Feeding the Gulf Coast – Providing meals for families
Lifelines Counseling Services – Family counseling and crisis services
Mobile County Public School System – Providing meals for youth
Make an Appointment with a Local Staffing Agency
There are still opportunities for employment. Many of our local staffing agency members are continuously looking for individuals with different skill sets. If you should find yourself needing additional employment opportunities, make sure to reach out to one of the following members to find the opportunity that is right for you.
Partners for Growth Investors
Board of Advisor Investors
Express Employment Professionals
Mobile Area Chamber Members
J Townsend Personnel & JTP Temp
Performance Workforce Solutions
Southwest Alabama Partnerships for Training
Spherion Recruiting and Staffing
Other Resources
Update your Resume
There are many resources available to assist you in updating your resume. The Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment (SWAPTE) and the Alabama Career Center are partnering to offer individuals businesses many free resources. Find it here.
Train for a New Career at a Local Community College:
During this time, take advantage of the multitude of training opportunities in the Mobile area. Whether you want to learn a new trade, increase your skill set, or improve your capabilities, our partners at Bishop State Community College, Coastal Alabama Community College and AIDT have you covered.
Bishop State Community College
Career Technical Education Programs
Coastal Alabama Community College
AIDT
Companies Actively Hiring in Mobile, Alabama
Walmart Distribution Center in Irvington
National Employers with Regional Locations:
United States Census: Recruiting for thousands of jobs across the country
Winn Dixie: Parent company Southeastern Grocers says it will “expeditiously hire” those affected by coronavirus layoffs.
Papa Johns: Aiming to hire up to 20,000 new team members across the country for delivery and takeout roles.
Domino’s: Adding 10,000 employees nationwide
Lowe’s: Hiring 30,000 full-time, part-time, overnight, and seasonal roles. Text JOBS to LOWES (56937)
Instacart: Adding 300,000 shoppers to its payroll
Walgreen’s: Hiring 9,500 new workers and giving bonuses in response to the pandemic
Outschool: Seeking 5,000 teachers to offer online classes in light of school closures.
Ingalls Shipbuilding (Trade/Craft Jobs) – (Professional Jobs)
Daher
Quality/Safety Coordinator ($40K+ annually | based on experience)
Material Handler ($13.50 / per hour | based on experience)
Warehouse Clerk ($12.75 / per hour | based on experience)
Regional Employers:
Rouses’s: Hiring for nearly all roles, including stockers, cashiers, and cleaning crew.
Wholefoods: Wholefoods is hiring 5,000 team members across 500 stores in the US and Canada with Minimum starting pay $15 per hour
Other Employment/Unemployment Resources
March 31, 2020 – ADOL Encourages Employees to File for Benefits Under the Cares Act
Alabama Department of Commerce
FAQs – Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits Alabama Department of Labor
COVID-19 and unemployment benefits – Alabama department of Labor- Q&A
Employer Bulk Filing Information
Alabama Workforce Development Council – https://sawdcalabamaworks.com/
What Happens if You Lose Your Job Due to Coronavirus? – https://www.al.com/business/2020/03/what-happens-if-you-lose-your-job-due-to-coronavirus-alabama-officials-provide-some-answers.html
Alabama to Waive Employer Charges for COVIS-19 Related Claims – https://www.labor.alabama.gov/COVID/COVID-19%20Employers%20File%20Claims%20news%20feed.pdf
Employer Paid Leave Requirements and Tax Credit Provisions – https://www.labor.alabama.gov/COVID/overview_table_paid_leave.pdf
Useful Webinars:
Workforce Recovery – COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Webinar