Michigan unemployment

Inflation may be moderating, but there still aren’t enough hourly workers to fill open restaurant, retail and other lower-paid hourly jobs. In Michigan, businesses that depend on such workers are still raising pay to attract employees, a trend they say can’t keep doing.

The latest review of the state’s dysfunctional unemployment office found that problems with oversight and fraud investigation persist. The agency’s director accused the auditor of rehashing old issues and not giving the agency enough credit for reforms.

A computer system that falsely flagged unemployment recipients for fraud is finally getting replaced.

No doubt, the pandemic bruised the economy nationwide. But Michigan has fared worse than other states by most measures.

Michigan started 2022 with fewer jobs, lower adjusted household incomes and a lower job participation rate than before previous recessions, leaving a shakier foundation to withstand an economic downturn.

Rising interest rates are meant to stem inflation, but the results can be “painful” as the economy shrinks, state business leaders say. Michigan has recorded three straight months of job losses, a sensitive topic for the state.

The most recent audit of the state’s unemployment office’s performance shows it failed to implement safeguards needed to protect taxpayer information during the pandemic.

The temporary pause on collections against 398,000 could result in repayment waivers for workers who’d received benefits and later were told they were ineligible. But an extensive review awaits first.

Jobless workers have struggled for years with the state’s unemployment system, resulting in lawsuits and calls for change. Now — after a pandemic filled with still more problems — the state is seeking a new vendor.

Our real-time, graphic-driven snapshot of economic indicators will help you understand how Michigan workers, families and businesses are faring in a changing world.

The Unemployment Insurance Agency failed to conduct proper background checks as it rushed to hire workers to handle a record number of claims — and taxpayers paid the price, according to an audit.

The state’s unemployment agency says it’s on target for sending IRS tax forms to workers by the end of February. But some workers face the prospect of having to declare benefits as reportable income even though they may later have to return the money.

The governor seeks $88 million to replace a notorious computer system that falsely accused workers of fraud and caused other headaches.

Jobless workers received notices they have to repay benefits, sometimes $20,000 or more. But many applied in good faith, and now won’t face restitution due to federal waivers.

The pace of fraud has slowed, officials were told on Thursday. However, it remains unclear to what extent the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has fixed its problems or identified which cases amounted to crimes.

Michigan knew for months it was making costly mistakes, but continued them anyway — and most of the money won’t be recouped, the report found.

Amid continued criticism over the state’s jobless claims processing, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday appointed a new director for the embattled Unemployment Insurance Agency.

After months of railing against the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, House Republicans on Tuesday proposed a six-part plan to reform the system and “fix customer service.”

You failed,’ a lawmaker tells the acting director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency, which has had a host of problems during the pandemic.

Liza Estlund Olson, the acting director of the Unemployment Insurance Agency, has agreed to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee next month.