For employers facing the difficult decision of whether or not you must lay off or close your business, temporarily or permanently, we offer the following for your consideration.
Unemployment Services:
Alternative to layoff: Have you considered our Short-Time Compensation program, otherwise known as STC? This solution may enable your company to retain it’s workforce on a reduced schedule, with the workers also receiving partial unemployment benefits. More information on this program is provided under “Related Links”.
If you must lay off: If your business needs to cut back hours and wants flexibility when the workers will or will not work, the regular unemployment program is likely the most versatile solution. In many cases, someone who works less than 35 hours during a week, could be eligible for a partial unemployment benefit.
If you have several workers who will be laid off for a specific or indefinite period of time, please contact the Labor-UIAndWagesDivion@state.vt.us, as we likely will be able to help facilitate expedited unemployment claims for you and your workers.
Information on all of the above services may obtained by calling the Unemployment Claims Center Employer Services line at 1-877-214-3331.
If you are forced to close your business…
It is possible Vermont’s Economic Response Team (ERT) may be able to assist to avoid a business closure. ERT is comprised of a small team of officials from government agencies such as Departments of Economic Development and Labor, along with representatives of the General Assembly. One of ERT’s primary goals is provide assistance in cutting through red tape as necessary, expedite the deployment of resources and examine temporary measures to help a business in trouble. If you are interested in learning more about this endeavor, please contact us by calling Ken Horseman of the Department of Economic Development at (802) 828-5236 or click HERE.
If your business will be forced to close, we offer a service called “Rapid Response”. When you request this service, a Rapid Response team will provide information about unemployment insurance and reemployment services, and services available at the Resource Centers around the state. The more timely we can provide the Rapid Response services, such as before you have had to lay off employees, the easier it is to assure all employees received needed information to help them while they are unemployed. Pre-layoff services are designed to help the affected workers shorten their transition time, and assist in preparing the affected workers to find new employment. More information on this service is provided under “Related Links.”
If you are selling or closing your business and have been filing Quarterly C-101 reports to VDOL, it will be necessary to close your account. A quick link for information related to this process is also provided under “Related Links”.
Are you in need of skills upgrades to stay competitive, we may be able to help.
If you are having difficulties finding skilled workers or you need to upgrade the skills of your current workforce to remain competitive and/or attract new business, we may be able to help. VDOL may have or could help facilitate a training program customized to your needs to help upgrade the skills of current or new workers. We work with employers and training providers to develop a program to meet your specific needs. Further information on our Workforce Training Programs may also be accessed under “Related Links”.