Summary of September 2025 Labor Law Updates for Birmingham, Alabama
Brought to you by HKM Employment Attorneys.Below is a roundup of key labor and employment developments in Alabama for September 2025. It includes court rulings, agency actions, and state‐level updates that are relevant to employers, HR professionals, and employees.
September 2025’s developments in Alabama labor and employment law are modest but meaningful—especially the non-compete ruling and the Supreme Court’s Williams v. Reed decision, which has potential ripple effects for Alabama practice. If you’d like assistance assessing non-compete clauses, navigating § 1983 claims, or adapting to changes in agency processes, contact HKM Employment Attorneys (https://hkm.com) for guidance.
Alabama Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal in Non-Compete Dispute — Court Ruling
Date: September 9, 2025
Summary:
The Alabama Supreme Court affirmed (without issuing a detailed opinion) a lower circuit court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of defendants in a non-compete dispute. The underlying case involved a former employer suing a former employee and his new company for allegedly soliciting and hiring multiple employees from the prior employer. The circuit court had held that the non-compete agreement was not enforceable and dismissed all claims. The Supreme Court’s affirmance leaves that dismissal in place.
Implications:
This decision reinforces a cautious approach toward enforcing non-compete agreements in Alabama, particularly where factual or contractual issues may render them unenforceable. Employers drafting or litigating non-competes should carefully assess their enforceability under Alabama law, including whether the restrictions are reasonable in scope, geography, and duration, and whether consideration was adequate. Although the Supreme Court provided no detailed rationale, the affirmance signals judicial willingness to uphold rejections of non-competes when challenged at summary judgment.
Workforce Secretary Names New Director of Employment Services — Administrative / Agency Development
Date: September 5, 2025
Summary:
The Alabama Department of Workforce announced that Kevin Kidd has been appointed Director of the Employment Services Division. In that role, he will oversee operations related to career centers, veterans’ services, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program, the Federal Bonding program, and migrant/seasonal farm worker programs, among other responsibilities.
Implications:
This leadership change may affect how Alabama’s employment service programs are administered, potentially altering priorities or operational approaches in areas such as reemployment support, job training, and workforce development. Employers interacting with these services—e.g., for job postings, WOTC, or recruitment partnerships—should monitor for procedural changes or new initiatives under Kidd’s direction. Stakeholders should remain alert for new guidance or policy shifts from the Department of Workforce under the new leadership.
Conclusion: Looking Back on Alabama Labor Law Updates from September 2025
In light of Alabama court decisions involving wage and hour violations, contract disputes, discrimination, and whistleblower protections, local representation matters more than ever. At HKM Employment Attorneys in Birmingham, our largest plaintiff-side employment law team handles breach of contract, non-compete agreements, unpaid wages, and many more areas of employment and labor law. With award‑winning contract review, earnings recovery, and confidential, no‑fee‑unless‑we‑win advocacy, our Birmingham attorneys are equipped to translate recent case law into actionable legal strategies. If these stories hit home, don’t hesitate to contact our Birmingham office to explore how we can protect your rights locally
