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Mass Layoff or Separation

If you or your workers need to file a claim for unemployment benefits contact the UI Claimant Assistance Center at 1-877-214-3332.


Click here to learn about the Federal WARN Act and/or Vermont Notice of Separation requirements.


The term "mass separation" means a separation from employment for a permanent, limited, or indefinite period of time, at or about the same time, and for the same reason, 1) of 20 or more percent of the total number of workers employed in an establishment, 2) of 50 or more percent of the total number of workers employed in any division or department of an establishment, or 3) notwithstanding either of the foregoing, of 10 or more workers employed in a single establishment. In such cases an employer shall file with the Commissioner and the Department of Labor's Unemployment Insurance Claims Center, a notice of such mass separation. Such notice shall be filed not later than 24 hours after such separation. Upon request by the Commissioner, such employer shall furnish to the Commissioner pertinent information necessary to establish "mass separation" unemployment claims. Such information will include but is not limited to the following: individual names, social security numbers, mailing addresses, and any separation pay of the affected workers.


Mass claims allow employers who experience a slowdown in business or closure that results in a temporary or permanent layoff of 10 or more employees, to submit a Mass Claimant Spreadsheet to the Unemployment Insurance Program in order for the UI Program to expediate the processing of claims associated with a single employer.

Employers must submit the necessary the Mass Separation Spreadsheet on or before the date of separation.

The Mass Separation Spreadsheet includes the components below:

  • Employee’s social security number
  • Legal name
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Start date
  • Last physical day of work
  • Return to work date; and
  • Any separation pay the employee receives

 

If the employee has never filed before or has an expired claim, they will need to fill out an "Initial Application for Unemployment."

Employees/claimants will be responsible for filing their weekly claims and reporting any hours worked and wages earned.

If the employees have a return to work date that is within 10-weeks of opening their claim, they will not be required to seek new employment; however, they must remain available to accept any suitable work offered, even if this offer does not come from your company.

If claimants have questions about being "Able and Available" to work, they should first review the claimant handbook.

If they have a return to work date that is greater than 10-weeks of opening their claim, they will be required to conduct a weekly work search for employment and file their claims online entering their work search contacts. If the claimant’s return to work date changes, the employer must update the return to work date using the online application available in “Employer Online Services”. Employers have six days to file a weekly claim after the week ends on Saturday.

Failure on the claimant’s part to file a weekly claim timely may result in a denial of benefits for the week(s) in question.


If you have any further questions, please contact us: 
Cindy Robillard, Business Services Manager: cindy.robillard@vermont.gov