What Are Your Responsibilities as an Employer during the Unemployment Claims Process?
Some amount of employee turnover is unavoidable. It’s rarely pleasant for anyone involved, but it happens. Depending on the circumstances surrounding an employee leaving, you may find yourself involved in an unemployment claim. So what are your responsibilities as the employer during this process?
Notify the Employee of Their Options
Your first responsibility is to notify the employee who is leaving of their options, regardless of the reason for the separation. You’ll need to provide them information about filing for unemployment insurance benefits within a reasonable amount of time in order to be in compliance with unemployment laws and regulations. Ideally, the information will be distributed in person, but it can be mailed if that isn’t possible.
Respond to the DUA
The Department of Unemployment Assistance will be in contact with your business if the employee files a claim. They’ll ask you for information about the employee that will have an impact on how the claim proceeds. It is your responsibility to respond in a timely manner to any DUA correspondence. Failing to do so could result in losing the right to be informed of the eligibility determination, the right to appeal, the right to a hearing, and the right to protest benefit charges made to your account.
Keep Up to Date with Ongoing Claim Activity
It’s in your interest to keep up with the proceedings regarding the claim. Things like a claim being reopened or the employee being recalled to work but failing to report will require you to stay in touch with the DUA and respond to any correspondence. Really, it’s in your best interest. By keeping up to date with ongoing claim activity, you’ll have the opportunity to try to influence the course of the claim and its impact on your business.
Employers have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to their employees. Sometimes those responsibilities don’t end when an employee leaves the company. If you find yourself involved in the unemployment claims process, make sure you understand what your responsibilities are so you can follow through with them. Does it seem like a lot? You don’t have to deal with it alone. Unemployment management is just one part of the Human Resources services offered by Quality Payroll. When you partner with us, we can help you navigate this and so many other responsibilities.
Handling unemployment claims is just one small part of the services that Quality Payroll offers. Click here to see what else we can help your company with.
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