Petition: Make Workman’s Compensation Mandatory for All Schools in Alabama

To the Alabama State Legislature, the Governor of Alabama, and the Alabama Department of Education:

We, the undersigned citizens, educators, parents, and concerned community members, urge the Alabama Legislature to take immediate action to protect the safety and well-being of our educators and school staff by making Workman’s Compensation mandatory for all schools in the State of Alabama.

Background:

On March 20, 2023, Sherri Nettles, a dedicated teacher at Amelia Love Johnson High School in Marengo County, was poisoned by students while performing her duties as a teacher. This malicious act resulted in a life-threatening illness, which required emergency surgery and extensive hospitalization. Despite the on-the-job injury, Sherri Nettles was not afforded the protections guaranteed by Alabama law, specifically under Ala. Code § 16-1-18.1, which should have allowed her up to 90 days of paid leave for on-the-job injuries. Instead, she was forced to exhaust her sick leave and take unpaid leave during her recovery.

This failure to properly care for and protect an educator in such a dire situation highlights a critical gap in Alabama’s educational system: the lack of mandatory Workman’s Compensation coverage for school employees.

Current Situation:

In Alabama, schools are not required by law to offer Workman’s Compensation for their employees. This means that when educators, bus drivers, and other school staff members are injured while on the job, they may not receive the compensation or medical care they need without financial hardship. Educators like Sherri Nettles, who suffer serious, work-related injuries, are left vulnerable, facing both physical and financial stress. This is unacceptable.

Why This Matters:

1. Teacher Retention & Support: Alabama has long struggled to retain quality educators. Making Workman’s Compensation mandatory sends a clear message that Alabama values and supports its teachers and staff, ensuring that they are protected in the workplace.
   
2. Safety in the Classroom: Educators are not only teaching but often supervising students in environments where accidents and injuries can occur. Without proper compensation and medical care, injured educators are left to fend for themselves, which should never be the case in a profession that serves our children and future generations.

3. Consistency Across Schools: While some schools may offer Workman’s Compensation voluntarily, this is not enough. Every school in Alabama, whether in rural or urban areas, should be required to provide this basic protection to their employees.

What We Want:

We call on the Alabama State Legislature and the Governor to pass legislation making Workman’s Compensation mandatory for all public and private schools in the state. This legislation should ensure:

1. Full Coverage for On-the-Job Injuries: Any injury or illness sustained by school staff while performing their duties should be covered under mandatory Workman’s Compensation, ensuring medical care and paid leave without penalty.

2. Financial Protection: Injured school employees should not be forced to use their sick leave or take unpaid leave for work-related injuries. This legislation should guarantee that employees receive full compensation for up to 90 days, in line with existing laws like Ala. Code § 16-1-18.1.

3. Clear and Enforceable Standards: The law must clearly outline the rights of school employees, ensuring they are aware of their protections under Workman’s Compensation and are informed promptly when injured on the job.

4. Accountability: Schools that fail to provide mandatory Workman’s Compensation should face penalties to ensure compliance and protect employees.

Conclusion:

Our educators and school staff dedicate their lives to teaching and caring for our children. It is only fair that we ensure they are protected in the workplace. No teacher, bus driver, or school employee should have to face financial ruin due to an on-the-job injury, and no school should be exempt from providing basic protection for its employees.

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Alabama State Legislature, Governor, and the Alabama Department of Education take immediate action to pass legislation making Workman’s Compensation mandatory for all schools across the state.

Sign this petition and stand with Alabama’s educators. Let’s ensure that they receive the protection and compensation they deserve.