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A Newsletter for Employers July 2022 |
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While you enjoy the summer breezes, Michigan leadership is working hard to grow the economy. Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan budget that includes funding for investments in talent and workforce, economic development, small business growth and much more. See the article below for more details on spending that will benefit employers.
Also in this month’s newsletter you’ll find a warning from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) about a text message scam targeting claimants. It’s a worthy reminder that bad actors will try to exploit anyone – even your business – to try to steal money and personal information.
Remember that Monday, July 25, 2022 was the deadline to file your 2nd Quarterly Wage Report and make your payment.
Finally, take a few minutes to read the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report from the Department of Labor and Economic Development’s Office of Employment and Training. The report details accomplishments in getting Michigan’s workforce ready to hit the ground running with the skills you all need to be successful.
As always, we’d like to hear from you. You can reach out to our Office of Employer Ombudsman with any challenges you face navigating the UI system, filing reports, or submitting your payments. You can reach OEO by calling 1-855-484-2636.
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If you want to suggest an article or topic for the Employer Advisor newsletter or just want to tell us how much you enjoy reading it, please send a message to: UIA-EmployerAdvisor@Michigan.gov. You can also view past newsletters on our Tools and Resources webpage. |
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Scammers will try anything to steal money or personal identifying information and you need to be aware that your business can then be victimized too.
Anti-fraud investigators at the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) have learned of a recent phishing scheme to try to steal from jobless benefits claimants. The text message they’ve received comes from an out-of-state phone number and provides a link to claim back payments.
The important thing to keep in mind is that UIA does not correspond with its customers by text message. It communicates only through Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM), letters mailed to the current address on file or by telephone.
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UIA Director Julia Dale says people with ill intent are constantly using sophisticated methods to steal from employers and others. “Fighting fraud and providing exemplary customer service are our top priorities,” Dale said. “If you suspect anyone of trying to get your personal information or steal your benefits, let us know right away.”
Report criminal activity by clicking on the Report Fraud by clicking on the Report Fraud and Identity Theft link at Michigan.gov/UIA to fill out a referral form. Staff will respond in a timely manner. A UIA video explains how to report identity theft.
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Here are some tips to protect personal information:
- Scrutinize any webpage URL or link that you receive. If it is not an official Michigan.gov website, do not use it.
- If you do not trust a website or information, call UIA’s Customer Service at
1-866-500-0017 to verify what you are seeing.
- Only link to UIA information or services through michigan.gov/UIA.
- UIA will never ask a claimant to provide logins, passwords, or banking information.
- UIA will never ask a claimant to send information to our personal emails.
- Keep your MiLOGIN and MiWAM information secure.
- Make sure your contact information is current if UIA staff need to reach you.
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer last week signed a balanced, bipartisan state budget for Fiscal Year 2023 that delivers on the kitchen-table issues and does not raise taxes.
It makes game-changing investments in every student and classroom, empowers working families and connects communities, grows Michigan’s economy and empowers its workforce, and protects public health and public safety.
Budget investments in Michigan’s economy and workforce can be divided into three key sections: talent and workforce, regional economic development, and support for small businesses.
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Here are some economy and workforce budget highlights:
- $230 million for two transformational education infrastructure projects centered on cancer research and the future of electrification and mobility.
- $110 million for Michigan Reconnect and Going Pro, putting people on tuition-free paths to higher-education or jobs training.
- $75 million for Michigan community financial development institutions, which promote economic revitalization and development in underserved areas.
- $50 million for food and agriculture economic development to attract investment and jobs in these key industries.
- $40 million for Pure Michigan campaign to boost tourism, local economies.
- $10 million to remove barriers to employment including childcare, transportation, etc.
- $10 million for the statewide pre-apprenticeship program.
- $10 million for talent retention and expansion in key industries.
Read more about the budget and its investments in Michigan.
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LEO’s Office of Employment and Training (LEO-E&T) recently released their Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report. Accomplishments highlighted are a sample of the work being done by LEO-E&T to promote a demand-driven workforce, provide worker training, support career-based education, focus on job preparedness, connect people to employment services and much more.
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During the past year, LEO-E&T served more than 175,000 individuals and more than 9,000 businesses; nearly 52,000 customers were trained and more than 22,000 of them earned an industry-recognized credential. Check out these highlights, and additional successes, in this latest report.
To learn more about what LEO-E&T does to promote a flexible, innovative and effective workforce system by developing customized workforce solutions for businesses and individuals, including those with disabilities, visit the office’s website at: Michigan.gov/LEO/Employment-and-Training.
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