Furlough Benefit Claims of temporarily Unemployed Increasing Across United States; Businesses Furlough to Save Money and Jobs
Posted on | August 1, 2010 | No Comments
Furlough benefit claims are increasing in the current down economy with the rate of those filing for unemployment benefits for the first time. Many businesses are considering the option of furloughing employees for a period of time as a cost saving measure and as a way to release an employee without pay for a period without terminating that employees position. This is a relatively new occurrence for many businesses and a totally new experience for the majority of employees that now have to navigate the furlough process. Benefits for those furloughed and temporarily unemployed are available and many are not unaware. Statistics out of the Department of Labor and Industry which supervises a state’s unemployment compensation funds and services relay that more associates are fielding inquiries relating to furloughed employees and the furlough process.
One big pointer that associates are giving the furloughed is that they should sign up for benefit provision the first week. People often dismiss this action because benefits are not provided during the first week and need to be accrued until the second week of actual unemployment. The regulations for benefit provision are time sensitive so the earlier you file, the earlier the process and provisions kick in for you if you still need them. Some employees end up having a short furlough of a few days to a week and then go back to work. These employees should file for the benefits anyway because the time table is not consecutive. One can accrue time in a nonconsecutive pattern. All states vary a bit regarding current furlough benefit provisions and keep updated information on their specific state’s website.
Author: Pamela Frost