State of Iowa (IA) Unemployment Insurance

The Siouxland Employers’ Council and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) periodically host meetings for employers to learn about updates regarding Iowa unemployment insurance. The workshops cover a variety of changes in unemployment laws and practices.

Speakers at a recent workshop included Todd McGee, a Marketing Specialist with Iowa Workforce Development. McGee is assigned to the Tax Redesign Project. Sessions were also conducted by Dan Anderson, Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Iowa Workforce Development.

These Iowa unemployment insurance workshops are ideal for new employers, small business owners and newly hired or recently promoted managers. However, since they cover the latest updates to law, they are also ideal for seasoned employers. All employers, human resource professionals, accounting personnel and payroll staff are urged to attend.

Many new employers report that administrative issues such as Iowa unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, payroll and taxes are more confusing and time-consuming than any other part of their job.

At a recent meeting, McGee discussed the new process for filing quarterly and annual unemployment reports and payments online. Topics covered included:

• Electronically file your unemployment quarterly reports
• Automatic computation of taxable wages and contributions
• Interactive screens and help features of the new system

During Anderson’s part of the program, he discussed recent changes to Iowa employment laws and practices including:

• Discharges, quits, refusal of work or refusal of recall
• Issues involving part time employees
• Health related issues, drug testing
• Pensions, vacation, severance and holiday pay
• Special challenges in handling unemployment insurance cases

There is a $25 registration fee to attend these informative workshops. If you’re interested in the next workshop, contact Iowa Workforce Development in your area. The Siouxland Employers’ Council is an employer group in Region 12, supported locally by Iowa Workforce Development, and is part of the statewide Employers’ Council of Iowa system. This employers group addresses workforce issues, and provides both educational and networking opportunities for employers.