Keeping unemployment (UI) costs under control is a major concern for businesses of all sizes. And one of the keys to doing that is minimizing charges against your State UI Reserve Account. In other words, this important method for minimizing costs is to prevent unauthorized claimants from collecting benefits against your account.

And the most effective way to prevent that from happening is to protest certain cases and win them. Unfortunately, winning UI cases can be difficult for companies that don’t have the proper processes in place. In fact, employers typically win about half of the protest cases sent to the UI Agency.

That’s why we’ve provided some tips below, to help you create more effective protests and win more of them.

Make Sure Your Documentation Helps You

Protest cases are based on evidence, making good documentation the cornerstone of your protest strategy. Your documentation is the proof you need to present to legally establish the claimant shouldn’t be paid. If your evidence is poor, the odds of winning your protest are slim to none. Guard against this my meticulously documenting the following: employment applications, training and development materials, safety regulations, employee handbooks, disciplinary records, separation agreements, and anything else you think even might be important in the future.

Know Your State Laws

Every state’s rules and regulations for UI protests are different, so take the time to familiarize yourself with where it is you do business. If you don’t know how the system works, what’s against UI law (and what’s not), then you’re not likely to win very many protests. Review your state laws carefully, and consider getting some professional advice.

Track Your Protest

It’s your responsibility to ensure that state agencies are dealing with your protest in a proper, and timely, manner. In many cases, your account on the claim is being changed even while you sit around waiting for a determination. Check in for status updates often, and be persistent when needed.

Ensure Documentation is “Up to Snuff”

Beyond simply keeping documentation, you need to make sure the content meets the appropriate standards. Your employee handbook, safety policies, and other forms of documentation should all help you during your protest. Employers that don’t write these policies to meet the laws of their state won’t be helped by their documentation. So, make sure all of your policies and guidebooks are up to snuff.

Most Importantly - Contact an Expert

Winning a protest can be a complicated process, and bringing in the right expertise will give you the best chance of winning. Get good advice and, where applicable, good training. Partnering with an expert for your protests will pay off in the long run.

Understanding how to win UI protests is a critical part of controlling your UI costs. Letting unauthorized claimants withdraw from your account by not putting together an effective protest is tantamount to giving away money.

For more information, contact us by visiting our website at www.unemploymenttracker.com.