Summary: While attending a workshop put on by Employment Security (unemployment office), I came to realize the misconceptions about the office. What misconceptions exist about us and our business.
Last week I attended a workshop on protesting unemployment claims put on by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). When you have been in Human Resources for a long time, it’s hard to believe you can learn something new about unemployment. After all like you, we have the same preconceived ideas about IDES. They are:
- They favor the employees
- They believe employees are always right
- They always grant unemployment, regardless of the circumstance
I have to say, after a three hour workshop, I have a new respect for IDES and learned a few things that will help me and my clients with them in the future.
What did I learn?
- They are not determining whether or not someone should be dismissed
- They are making determinations based on “unemployment laws”
- Employers as a general rule either provide not enough information or the wrong type of information
- They make a determination based on the last incident
While this is what is done in Illinois, I would suggest you talk to your state office to determine if they follow the same rules. Better yet, attend a workshop in your city.
This also got me thinking about what other things do I have preconceived ideas about that may be wrong (in whole or part)? We typically only see or experience one side of a situation – do those around us also have misconceptions of our actions?
Just like IDES what we need to do is – communicate. Show others what you see, hear and experience to get their understanding.
Share misconceptions of you or your business that you have encountered and how you overcame it.