Compliance Stuff

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a  series of Questions and Answers  to help states remain in compliance with federal unemployment insurance (UI) law regarding striking employees. For states that offer UI benefits to striking employees, the Q&As clarify when those employees are eligible for federal UI benefits . State UI programs are required to conform to federal requirements to receive grants to administer their UI programs. Currently, four states offer UI benefits to striking workers: New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington.   The Q&As provide that in states that allow striking workers to receive UI benefits, the workers must meet the federal requirements to obtain UI benefits. The Q&As underscore that states that wish to remain eligible to receive federal grants, and employers that wish to remain eligible for credits under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, must remain in full compliance with these requirements.  As s...

Oregon and Washington just became the latest states to make striking employees eligible for unemployment compensation benefits. T his marks a major policy shift for both states – especially for Washington, which currently disqualifies both striking workers and locked-out workers for benefits. We’ll explain everything you should know about the new laws that could disrupt labor negotiations and union dynamics in the Pacific Northwest and how this growing trend is evolving across the country. Quick Background Unemployment insurance (UI) is a joint state-federal program that pays temporary cash benefits to qualifying unemployed workers. All states must comply with certain guidelines under federal law, but each state administers its own UI program and sets its own additional requirements. Most states treat striking employees as disqualified from receiving UI benefits, but many make exceptions for other types of labor disputes. For example, UI is available during lockouts (those work stoppag...

  Lawmakers in at least six states are pushing to make striking employees eligible for unemployment benefits rather than being disqualified for participating in the work stoppage, as is the case in all but two states . This trend is particularly important considering the sharp rise in major work stoppages in 2023 and last year’s number of high-profile strikes. We’ll explain everything you should know about the potential sea change that could disrupt labor negotiations and union dynamics across the country. Quick Background Unemployment insurance (UI) is a joint state-federal program that pays temporary cash benefits to qualifying unemployed workers. While all states must follow certain federal guidelines, each state administers its own UI program and sets its own eligibility requirements. A  May 2024 report  from the U.S. Department of Labor describes the social insurance program as “designed to provide benefits to most individuals out of work, generally through no fault...