Using separation notices beneficial to employers

Few employers in Tennessee are in compliance with a state rule requiring them to issue separation notices to all workers who become separated from their jobs for any reason, a report from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development revealed.

Workers should expect to receive the notices within 24 hours, said Tennessee Labor Commissioner Karla Davis.

The notices, she said, are often needed when applying for services like unemployment benefits and food stamps.

“What employers should know is when they don’t document separations with these notices, it invites confusion and unnecessary appeals when someone files for unemployment benefits,” Davis added.

During the unemployment application process, it’s the employer’s responsibility to provide the separation form.

If the document isn’t available and the employer does not reply to a request for information, the department must rely on information provided by the claimant.

In that case, an employer who doesn’t agree with the department’s initial decision must file an appeal or run the risk of higher tax rates.

Davis said the answer is partially in the hands of employers.

“Employers have vocalized with us their frustration when facing appeals, but using separation notices and responding to requests for information can be steps in avoiding that process,” she said.

Employers can download separation notices online at http://goo.gl/z3WYA.

The department developed an electronic method of responding to unemployment information requests last year aimed at a more accurate claims-filing process.

Visit http://info.uisides.org for more on the system.