Notice of Separations and Job Refusals

Topics:

Unemployment
Benefits

Iowa Workforce Development tracks when workers leave or refuse employment and when Iowans receiving unemployment refuse valid job offers or interviews. Employers can find relevant resources at the links below. 

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Notice of Separation or Refusal to Return to Work

When a worker leaves or refuses your employment for any reason that you believe disqualifies the individual from receiving unemployment insurance benefits, employers can notify IWD. 

To automatically report an employee separation or refusal to return to work, please log into your employer portal on IowaWorks.gov and fill out the Separation Notice Alleging Disqualification form located under the “Unemployment Services for Employers” section.  

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Refusal to Accept Job Offer

To remain eligible to receive weekly benefits, unemployment claimants must follow certain guidelines when applying for and accepting work. Employers can report Iowa claimants who they believe have refused legitimate job offers.  

If employers suspect a candidate who has declined employment is receiving unemployment benefits, they can complete the following form: Job Offer Decline Form for Employers. You will be notified to provide details of the job offer if the applicant is currently receiving unemployment insurance. 

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Wage Requirements for Suitable Work

Iowa’s unemployment laws aim to help Iowans return to work quickly. This is why the unemployment system connects them with suitable job opportunities. Suitable jobs must be accepted, or claimants risk losing their benefits. 

To determine if a job offer is suitable, IWD calculates a wage requirement based on earnings from the highest quarter of the base period used to calculate the claimant's unemployment insurance benefit. A job offer may be considered suitable if the offered wages are at or above the following percentages of the claimant's average weekly wage (AWW): 

  • 100 percent if work is offered in the first week of a claim.
  • 90 percent if work is offered during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of a claim.
  • 80 percent if work is offered during the 4th and 5th weeks of a claim.
  • 70 percent if work is offered during the 6th to 8th weeks of a claim.
  • 60 percent if work is offered after the 8th week of a claim.
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Job Offer or Interview Decline Form 

Employers also can use IWD’s Refusal to Accept Job Offer or Interview form to report unemployment claimants in Iowa who have refused legitimate job offers or interviews.  

 

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