The State Senate last week started moving legislation to reform Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. The legislation, supported by the Michigan Chamber, would update and modernize the work-search requirements and bring the law into compliance with federal requirements.
The legislation would require out-of-work individuals to conduct a systematic and sustained search for work in each week the individual is claiming benefits and report to the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) the details of the work search activity at least once every two weeks or more periodically if prescribed by the UIA. Currently, individuals must only report every four weeks. Because benefits are paid weekly, the lack of regular reporting is adversely impacting Michigan’s overpayment rate and, therefore, Michigan is out of conformity with federal law.
In addition, the legislation would modernize how an individual searches for work. In addition to applying for positions with employers, this legislation would allow an individual to do any of the following as a condition of conducting work-search:
- Using resources available at a Michigan Works! agency office to participate in reemployment services and eligibility assessment activities, identify the skills the individual possesses that are consistent with target or demand occupations in the local workforce development area or obtain job postings and seek employment for suitable positions needed by local employers.
- Attending job search seminars or other employment workshops that offer instruction in improving an individual’s skills for finding and obtaining employment.
- Creating a user profile on a professional networking site or using an online career tool. Creating duplicate user profiles or resubmitting or reuploading the same resume to the same professional networking site does not satisfy the requirements of this subdivision.
- Applying for an available position with, submitting a resume to, or interviewing with employers. Applying for the same position within a four-week period or contacting an employer to determine whether a position is available does not satisfy the requirements of this subdivision, unless the individual uses his or her union hiring hall to conduct a search for work.
- Registering for work with a private employment agency or, if it is available to the individual in his or her occupation or profession, the placement facility of a school, college, or university.
- Taking an examination that is required for a position in the state civil service.
Please contact Wendy Block with any questions about this legislation at wblock@michamber.com.