The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) is cracking down on residents playing the system to stay on unemployment. There are a lot of people out there who need unemployment compensation, but there are also people doing just enough to meet the requirements set by ADWS, so they can continue receiving money from not being able to work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The following is a letter that ADWS sent on Thursday to employers in Arkansas:
Dear Employer,
The number one topic of conversation among employers is the difficulty you are having filling job vacancies. It’s a concern for us too and we want to help. As your state workforce agency, we are doing everything we can to identify and stop unemployment fraud and encourage Arkansans to get back to work.
Governor Hutchinson has directed the Division of Workforce Services to end Arkansas’s participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs effective June 27, 2021. For those who remain eligible for regular state unemployment insurance, DWS is conducting weekly random audits of work search records. Failure by the claimant to submit accurate documentation of job contacts can result in disqualification and denial of benefits.
Some employers have reported individuals who contact them to ask for specific information to put on their Work Search Contact Record but express no interest in applying for a job. We assure you, DWS can prevent a claimant from benefiting from attempts to defraud, but in order to act, we must be notified!
That’s where you come in!
You are encouraged to report any suspicious activity that could be related to unemployment fraud or a potential disqualification, even if you do not know whether the individual is claiming unemployment benefits. If you provide the information, we’ll do the rest! Let us know when an applicant:
· Refuses offers of suitable work.
· Fails to appear for an interview.
· Fails to appear for/pass a drug screen.
· Fails to return to work when recalled.
· Fails to return employer calls after inquiring about a job.
· Deliberately presents oneself in a negative way to avoid job offers.
· Negotiates hours and pay to stay below the maximum allowed to continue receiving benefits.
Reporting is easy! You can report to DWS in the following ways:
1. Tax 21– Log in to Tax 21 using the second option you see on the Tax 21 homepage. Once you log in, choose option 3, 4, 5, or 6, depending on the type of report you are submitting. To report anything that does not fall into a category with a specific form, please use option 3. Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud.
2. Refusal of Work Form- This is an online form that you can fill out and submit directly through the DWS website.
Employers can post an unlimited number of jobs for free on Arkansas JobLink, the state’s online job board! With an employer account, you can manage job posts, create a company profile, save searches for qualified candidates, and more. All DWS clients are registered in Arkansas JobLink, giving employers access to a large pool of candidates who are actively searching for work! Visit www.arjoblink.arkansas.gov/
We hope this email is helpful to you as an Arkansas employer. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Arkansas Division of Workforce Services Administration