Notice of Separations and Job Refusals

Topics:

Unemployment
Benefits

IWD tracks when workers leave or refuse employment, and when Iowans receiving unemployment refuse valid job offers or interviews. This helps to determine whether or not unemployment benefits are justified when someone applies. Employers can find helpful resources on these situations at the links below. 

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Notice of Separation or Refusal to Return to Work

If a worker leaves or refuses employment and you (as the employer) believe that they should not receive unemployment benefits, you can notify IWD. After you report this, IWD will review the facts and then make a decision. 

Employers can automatically report this action by:

  • Logging into the employer portal on IowaWORKS
  • Filling out the Separation Notice Alleging Disqualification form located under the Unemployment Services for Employers section.  
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Refusal to Accept Job Offer

Iowans currently receiving unemployment must follow certain guidelines for applying and accepting jobs. If you believe that a claimant may be turning down valid job offers, you can report it to IWD. When this happens, you will be asked to provide details about the job offer so that IWD can make a decision about the applicant. 

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Wage Requirements for Suitable Work

Iowa’s unemployment laws aim to help Iowans return to work quickly, and 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 the wage requirement based on earnings from the highest quarter of the base period. A job offer is therefore suitable if the wages meet or exceed 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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