Last year Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter proposed and the 2017 Idaho Legislature approved $2.5 million in general funds to be added to the Idaho Workforce Development Training Fund, a key economic growth program administered by the Idaho Department of Labor. To make sure those dollars were spent based on industry input the governor appointed an industry-based task force to make recommendations on how the money could be used to “close the gap between the training and education Idaho job seekers have and the skills that Idaho employers need.”
Monthly Archives: November 2017
Idaho Women Fare Better in Traditional Trades
As Idaho’s economy continues to flourish, wages are also increasing. Accounting for statewide job growth from 2012 forward, Idaho has seen a 2 percent to 3 percent increase in total annual private sector wage growth, up 17 percent over the past decade. Wage growth rate variances depend on an array of factors including economic situation, location, industry, job growth and demand. Demographics also show a distinction in wage appropriation and growth with gender as a demographic that is frequently discussed.
Traditionally, men and woman have held different, but essential roles in America’s economic success. Initially women filled specific, ‘white collar’ service occupations such as clerical and administrative. As time passed women integrated themselves into all industries, especially during World War II when they stepped into jobs typically held by men. Another shift occurred when men returned from the war to their jobs.
Do you know how to meet your work search requirements while receiving unemployment benefits?
Editor’s note: This article was updated July 5, 2024, to reflect changes to acceptable work search actions.
The top 10 things you need to know
1. Actively look for work
Almost everyone collecting unemployment insurance benefits is required to actively look for work each week.
In very few cases, some people may not be required to look for work if they are scheduled to return to full-time employment within 16 weeks and they are considered to be job attached. Never assume you are job attached or are not required to look for work. If you think these situations may apply to you, please call a claim specialist at (208) 332-8942.
Unless you have specifically been told that you do not have to actively look for work, you are required to look for a full-time job. In fact, you are required to complete five (5) work search actions each week you file a claim for unemployment benefits.
You MUST comply with the work search requirements you agreed to when you completed your online application. These requirements can be viewed, and verified, online at our Claimant Portal. Log in to your account at labor.idaho.gov/claimantportal, and then go to Manage Claims to view this information.
2. Seasonal jobs
Seasonal employees are people who work in industries where short layoffs, or a reduction of hours, are expected at a certain time every year. These employees could be considered to be job attached if they have a definite return-to-work date and are expected to return to work within 16 weeks. Job attached designations for seasonal workers are limited to 16 weeks of reduced hours or scheduled layoff. This is applied statewide with no exceptions to the rule. Please note, if you are considered to be job attached, this is usually specifically stated on your online application for unemployment benefits.
If claimants do not have a definite return-to-work date that is within 16 weeks of their layoff, or reduction in hours, they must look for work. We aren’t saying you can’t go back to your previous employer, but you will need to look for work during the time you are receiving unemployment benefits. Often people who work in seasonal industries find a second job working in an industry that is busy during the time their normal industry is not busy. For example, someone who works as a lookout for the U.S. Forest Service in the summer could work as a school bus driver in the fall and winter months.
3. Union members
Union members are not automatically exempt from the normal work search requirements. Your work search requirements could be waived if you are an active member of a union that regularly refers you to full-time work.
During the claim filing process, you will be asked questions regarding union membership to determine your proper work search responsibilities. If your work search requirements are going to be waived, this will usually be stated on your online application.
4. Meeting work search requirements to avoid your benefits from being stopped
You are required to complete five (5) work search actions each week. Contacts must be with employers who typically hire people for the type of jobs you are looking for and the type of jobs you are able to perform. Work search actions, such as attending a hiring event, must be applicable to searching for work and something any unemployed person seeking work would normally do.
You are also required to have an active IdahoWorks account.
Additionally, you may be required to meet in person with one of our workforce consultants at your Labor office. The consultant will help make sure you have all the tools you need so you can return to work in the shortest amount of time possible. Our workforce consultants can help you by making sure your resume is ready, by preparing you for job interviews and by sharing innovative job seeking tips.
It is important to keep your address up to date in our Claimant Portal so the letter we mail you that contains the information about meeting with a workforce consultant is not delayed or lost in the mail. If you are asked to meet with a workforce consultant and do not participate, then your benefits will be stopped.
5. Acceptable work search actions
The most common way to contact an employer for work is to apply with an application, resume, cover letter or letter of interest. Interviewing for a position is also an acceptable work search action.
We recommend meeting with an Idaho Department of Labor staff member for work search assistance. They offer interview preparation classes, job search workshops and mock interviews.
Registering with a staffing service, recruiter or placement agency is an acceptable work search action.
Networking or meeting with others in your career field in an attempt to obtain work counts as an acceptable work search action. We recommend attending a job seeker event such as a job fair, virtual job fair, networking opportunity event, job club or employer sponsored workshop.
An employer may ask you to complete a test, background check or drug test prior to employment. Completing an employer’s employment prerequisite is an acceptable work search action.
6. Unacceptable work search actions
Self-employment or gig work does not count as a work search action. Work-search actions must be made to obtain employment with an employer, not to pursue self-employment.
It is not acceptable to contact an employer repeatedly or check on a position you have already applied for. You cannot count an action with the same employer more than once unless you have progressed to the next level in the hiring process. For example, you may not send in a resume one week and then count it as another work search action the following week because you sent a second resume. However, if you have sent in a resume and are now being asked to interview, then you may count it as another work search action for the week when the interview happens.
Maintaining contact with your most recent employer is not considered an acceptable work search action. Also, if you are currently work part time, you may not use your current employer for a work search action.
It is not acceptable to apply for work if you do not have the skills or education to perform the job.
An online action is only acceptable if it results in an online application being completed or a résumé being submitted. Simply searching websites such as IdahoWorks.gov or Indeed.com for job openings is not enough to meet this requirement. You must also apply for the position as directed by the employer. For example, if an employer directs you to submit an application online, you must do so for the action to be acceptable.
Click here for more information regarding acceptable contacts.
7. Reporting work search actions
You will be asked to enter information about your work search actions when you file your weekly certification. (Your weekly certification is completed using the Claimant Portal at labor.idaho.gov/claimantportal.)
Some of the information you will be asked to enter includes the type of job you applied for, company name, address, phone number, contact name, date of the action, type of action and the results of the action.
Our work search log can help you keep track of this information so you have it ready when you file your weekly certification application online. Please do not submit the work search log. It is a tool to be used for your record-keeping purposes only.
8. Not looking for work
You may be denied benefits for any week that you don’t complete five (5) acceptable work search actions. If you are having trouble meeting this requirement, our workforce consultants can help you find jobs to apply for.
9. Know your rights and responsibilities
It is important to know your rights and responsibilities as an unemployment insurance claimant. The Rights and Responsibilities pamphlet we mailed to you after you applied for benefits contains this information. Understanding this information will help you avoid having your benefits stopped or denied because you failed to comply with your work search requirements.
10. Returning to work
You’re required to continue to look for work even after you have received a job offer. The Idaho Department of Labor does not change your work-seeking status until you have actually returned to full-time employment.
It also is important to know that you must not file your weekly certification for any week in which you worked full time. It is not okay to continue to file for benefits until you receive your first paycheck. Continuing to collect benefits after returning to work full time is considered fraud and could lead to monetary penalties and criminal prosecution. If you do this, your new employer also will be notified.
Once you start working full time, simply quit filing your weekly certifications to make your claim inactive. There is no need to call us.
11. How the Idaho Department of Labor can help you find a job
Help is available, free of charge, at any of our Idaho Department of Labor offices and mobile locations. If you would like assistance in your job search, please make an appointment with a workforce consultant. Find all the locations for Labor local and mobile offices at labor.idaho.gov/officedirectory.
Many resources can be found on the Idaho Department of Labor website. Some of these resources include job listings on IdahoWorks and wage and career information on JobScape. We also have several publications with tips for job seekers.
— Kristie Winslow, technical writer
Idaho Department of Labor
The Idaho Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY24 as part of the Employment and Training Administration Grant (80%) and state/nonfederal funds (20%) totaling $20,717,534.
Developing a Skilled Workforce Through Registered Apprenticeships
by Idaho Department of Labor Director Melinda S. Smyser
Not too long ago, St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood found itself in need of a medical lab scientist. After searching eight months for a qualified applicant, hospital officials worked with their local Idaho Department of Labor office to develop a registered apprenticeship program. Today the program is working so well St. Mary’s plans to set up a second apprenticeship for the same skill set.
As I meet with Idaho employers, they tell me they all have one thing in common with St. Mary’s Hospital. They need a pipeline of skilled workers with industry-specific training and hands-on experience.
Registered apprenticeships are a proven strategy for successfully building that pipeline and benefits both businesses and job seekers. Most employers see reduced turnover costs, greater employee retention, increased productivity and an average of $1.05 returned for every dollar they invest in their employees.
Apprentices benefit by on-the-job training and earn while they learn, reducing student debt. They see increased opportunities for promotion and higher wages over the course of their careers. Nationally, nine out of 10 find themselves gainfully employed at an average starting salary of $60,000 per year, and over the course of their careers, earn $300,000 more than their non-apprenticed peers.
Around Idaho: October 2017 Economic Activity
Information provided in this article is from professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.
Northern Idaho
North Central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South Central Idaho
Southeastern
Eastern Idaho
NORTHERN IDAHO – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai & Shoshone counties
Kootenai County
- The Parks and Recreation Committee in Coeur d’Alene voted to ban offshore businesses in the city’s water corridor on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The decision will affect enterprises like the Hooligan Island jungle gym barge and boats that sell food. The committee sited the danger of motorized boat traffic near the beach, in water that is generally full of kayakers, paddle-boarders and swimmers in the summer. Source: Coeur D’Alene Press
- Developers Philip Wirth and Rick Robinson have announced plans to create a 233-acre technology park on Highway 41 in Post Falls. The complex is being designed with technology and aerospace manufactures in mind, and the developers have specifically cited proximity to North Idaho College’s technical schools in Rathdrum as a draw to the location. Source: Coeur D’Alene Press