Category Archives: News Releases

Labor e-response system helps employers respond to unemployment insurance claims

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 23, 2022
Media Contact: Tyler.Smith@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers with fewer than 500 employees can save money and respond quickly, easily and accurately to unemployment insurance claims filed against their account by using an online e-response system available through the Idaho Department of Labor.

Businesses that register with the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) will be assigned a personal identification number (PIN). Once they are signed up, they will automatically receive an email when employees stop working for them and file for unemployment benefits.

Each email includes a website address. Employers use their PIN to access and respond to a request. When finished, SIDES sends a confirmation number and a PDF for employer records.

In order to use this service, employers must respond to benefit claims requests in seven days. If there is a disagreement and employers don’t respond in this timeframe, they may be charged for benefits paid until the claim is appealed.

SIDES Benefits for Employers:

  • It’s free.
  • Prevent mistakes with a response format used nationwide.
  • Confirm data and check for completeness.
  • Get requests and respond faster.
  • Receive confirmation notices.
  • Reduce follow-up phone calls, mail and email.
  • Reduce postage costs and paper use.
  • Avoid mail delivery delays.
  • Improve fraud detection and reduce improper payments.
  • Reduce the number of appeal hearings.

Sign up for SIDES E-Response at www.labor.idaho.gov/SIDES.

For more information, visit www.labor.idaho.gov/eservices. Contact us at sides@labor.idaho.gov or (208) 947-1055.

Idaho’s October unemployment rate up slightly to 2.9%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 18, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up from 2.8% in September to 2.9% in October – the ninth consecutive month the state rate has been below 3%.

October’s labor force saw gains in both employed and unemployed workers. The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 1,714 people (0.2%) to 961,441. Total employment increased by only 455 to 933,268. The total number of unemployed increased by 1,259 (4.7%) to 28,173.

Labor force participation decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6%.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 1,200 to 827,900 in October. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include accommodation and food services (4.8%); natural resources (2.3%); management of companies & enterprises (1.2%); real estate rental and leasing (1.0%); administration, support and waste management services (0.6%); and arts, entertainment and recreation (0.6%).

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Larry Gebert posthumously recognized for volunteer efforts

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 16, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Photo of Larry Gebert holding sign.

Larry Gebert

Former KTVB anchor Larry Gebert was posthumously awarded the 2022 Governor Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award during the Idaho Philanthropy Day ceremony. Gebert was recognized for his commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy and support of nonprofits during his 30-year career. His wife, Julie Gebert, was presented with the award in his memory.

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Department of Labor names new economist for eastern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 7, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Photo: Ryan WhitesidesRyan Whitesides is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for eastern Idaho. Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Whitesides’ area includes covering Butte, Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Lemhi, Madison, Jefferson and Teton counties.

Whitesides received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Weber State University in 2002 and is returning to Idaho after living and working in Tampa Bay, Florida. He has also lived and worked in the greater New York City, Chicago and Salt Lake City metro areas.

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Department of Labor names new economist for south central Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 7, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Photo: Seth HarringtonSeth Harrington is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for south central Idaho, covering Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln and Twin Falls counties. He replaces the previous economist, Bonang Seoela.

Harrington earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg last April.

He has interned with the BYU-Idaho Research and Business Development Center, the Washington State Employment Securities Department and The Indra Foundation located in Nepal. Harrington is a native of Vancouver, Washington.

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Idaho Labor offices throughout the state help veterans gain their postsecondary education

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 2, 2022
Media Contact: Georgia.Smith@labor.idaho.gov

Steve, a retired veteran from the Idaho National Guard, didn’t think attending a job fair would change his life.

But it did. In an amazing way.

To get there, Steve reached out to Kenneth Scott, an Idaho Department of Labor veterans’ representative in Post Falls who provided him with the tools he needed to reach his career goals.

Nowadays, Steve is seen regularly at recruiting events representing Heritage Health in an HR role. He recruits veterans, just like him, for jobs with his employer. He says Idaho Labor’s support made a huge difference in his life.

And he’s not the only veteran, or spouse of a veteran, who may be eligible to receive this kind of support with finding a job.

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

With 116,000 veterans scattered around Idaho, they reside in various counties. According to the 2020 five-year American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, the top 10 counties with the largest share of the population include Elmore (22.1%), Adams (16.6%), Clearwater (14.7%), Lemhi (14.3%), Boise (13.6%), Benewah (13.0%), Gem (12.5%), Bonner (11.9%), Idaho (11.7%) and Lewis (11.7%).

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Idahoans receive awards for volunteerism and philanthropy

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 21, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Volunteers and philanthropists from across Idaho will be honored at the Idaho Philanthropy Day virtual award ceremony on Nov. 15.

Idaho Philanthropy Day“Volunteering is an important aspect of the Idaho way of life. Every year, we take time to honor our neighbors who donate time and talent to help their communities thrive,” Gov. Brad Little said.

Winners were chosen by the Idaho Philanthropy Day judges after studying each nomination to decide which ones best encompass the spirit of philanthropy including time, talent, treasure and involvement in the community.

All winners for each category have been published except the Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award, which will be announced live at each celebration. The list of winners can be found at IdahoNonprofits.org.

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Idaho’s September unemployment rate sees slight uptick to 2.8%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 21, 2022
Media Contact: Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up from 2.7% in August to 2.8% in September – the eighth consecutive month the state rate has been below 3%.

Idaho county map-September unemployment rates by countySeptember’s labor force saw gains in both employed and unemployed workers. The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 2,938 people (0.3%) to 959,734. Total employment grew by 1,714 (0.2%) to 932,813. The total number of unemployed increased by 1,224 (4.8%) to 26,921. Labor force participation remained at 62.7%.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs exceeded seasonal expectations in September, showing an adjusted increase of 3,000 jobs to 828,400. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include information (4.9%); arts, entertainment and recreation (4.5%); private educational services (2.8%); other services (2%); nondurable goods manufacturing (1.9%); real estate and rental and leasing (1.0%); construction (0.8%); local government (0.8%); healthcare and social services (0.7%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (0.6%); and durable goods manufacturing (0.5%).

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Kremer of Serve Idaho receives national leadership award

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 27, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho Commission Vice Chair Charlette (Char) Kremer of Lewiston recently was named the 2022 Outstanding Commissioner of the year by America’s Service Commissions. The award was presented virtually at the association’s annual Innovation and Leadership Award ceremony Sept. 22.

Photo: Charlette Kremer

Charlette Kremer

Kremer was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to serve on the commission in 2014. She previously served as the Director of Lewis-Clark Service Corps, a statewide AmeriCorps program that hosted 120 members who provided tutoring and mentoring across Idaho. An AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America alumna, she served from 2005 – 2007 with Lewis-Clark Service Corps where she developed the student volunteer recruitment program and established the Community Warriors Volunteer Center.

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Sept. 28 job fair in Caldwell offers free burgers, lots of job opportunities

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2022
Media Contact: Monico.Sanchez@labor.idaho.gov

Job seekers are invited to kick off the fall hiring season during a career fair scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Canyon County Department of Labor office parking lot, 4514 Thomas Jefferson St. in Caldwell.

The first 150 job seekers who show up will have their choice of a free hamburger or cheeseburger courtesy of CS Beef Packers, United States Bakery (Franz) and Sorrento Lactalis Inc.

Other employers attending include the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Boise State University, EquusWorks, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho Milk Transport, Simplot and many more. The employers planning to attend report having more than 500 open jobs to fill. Positions available range from bus drivers, construction workers, direct care providers, machine operators, teachers, welders and more.

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