U.S. Labor Dept. honors Utah DWS

The U.S. Department of Labor has recognized the Utah Department of Workforce Services with three operational excellence awards for unemployment insurance appeals decisions, benefit payments and tax operations. The national recognition distinguishes Utah as a top-performing state for operating its unemployment insurance and appeals programs faster and more effectively than other medium- sized states.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

“From serving employers to job seekers, we are a key contributor to Utah’s strong economy by bridging the gap of unemployment,” said Jon Pierpont, executive director of the department. “Through our diligence, we have built a national reputation for managing our unemployment insurance services with accuracy and integrity.”

The award ceremony recognized the Workforce Services’ Appeals Division for resolving issues and providing fair hearings in an efficient and timely manner. The division ensures all those involved in an unemployment insurance case receive due process. “Our legal team strives for quality by reducing wait times for hearings and increasing the timeliness of appeals decisions,” said Kathy Bounous, director of the Appeals Division. “Our welldesigned procedures allow us to fairly serve all parties in a timely manner.”

Workforce Services’ Unemployment Insurance Division was honored for its management of benefit payments and tax operations. In Utah, more than 80,000 employers make contributions to a trust fund through the state unemployment insurance tax, which are then exclusively used to pay benefits to workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

“Our business process design and supporting systems are exceptional,” said Kevin Burt, director of the Unemployment Insurance Division. “But in the end, it is the incredible staff and their dedication to what they do that has led to this recognition of operational excellence.”

The awards were presented last week at the National Workforce Summit and Unemployment Insurance Directors’ Conference in Birmingham, Alabama.{/mprestriction}