Governor Kathy Hochul today announced plans to launch a new Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications Act portal, the latest milestone for the New York State Department of Labor Multi-year technology modernization plan. This upgraded online tool allows companies to submit layoff notices in a faster and more streamlined manner, giving employees more time to transition to new jobs. The new system will also help NYSDOL assist laid-off employees more quickly and connect them to support services and resources, including new employment and training opportunities. The governor also announced changes to the state’s WARN legislation to address the post-pandemic employment environment and ensure state compliance. new york warning law.
“This new WARN Act portal and improvements to WARN Act regulations are a much-needed means of reducing the administrative burden for businesses while providing comprehensive support to New Yorkers in need.” Governor Hochul said. “By upgrading the Department of Labor’s systems and regulations, my administration will simplify and streamline processes, enhance customer service, and create a 21st-century workforce to better connect New York job seekers with fulfilling job opportunities. We are taking action.”
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said: “Improving the user experience is a top priority for the department, and adopting technological solutions helps us fulfill that mission. Early warning helps reduce the time it takes for an employee to receive unemployment insurance benefits, thus reducing employer liability related to layoffs. But we want to make sure you get every advantage possible to secure your new career quickly.”
The enhanced WARN Act portal allows employers to submit documents, provide a list of affected workers, and send other important information directly to NYSDOL in real time. The upgrades are designed to help employers give affected employees more time to transition, search for new employment opportunities, or participate in workforce training programs to find new careers. It has been. Once a WARN Act notice is filed, NYSDOL’s Workforce and Employment Solutions Division will work with local Workforce Development Boards, community stakeholders, and businesses to move affected workers to new careers or Quickly connect to employment opportunities. The portal is scheduled to go live next month.
The New York State WARN Act requires private sector employers with 50 or more full-time employees to issue WARN Act Notice 90 days prior to closings, mass layoffs, other transfers, and applicable reductions in working hours. is needed.
During the pandemic, NYSDOL saw an unprecedented increase from 430 filings affecting 27,858 workers in 2019 to 2,170 filings affecting 240,001 workers in 2020. We have received a number of WARN Act notice submissions.
The newly enhanced regulation clarifies how remote work affects WARN Act compliance and simplifies the language to help businesses better understand their obligations. The comment period on the proposed regulation has started.New Yorkers are invited to share their feedback via email [email protected].
The launch of the WARN Act portal is part of NYSDOL’s ongoing four-year strategic modernization plan to reduce call volumes, improve the customer experience and quickly connect New Yorkers to unemployment insurance benefits. NYSDOL is currently working with the New York State Department of Information Technology Services to develop and implement:
- A new bot-driven omnichannel contact center to answer specific customer complaint questions.
- Upgraded form management system for faster processing.
- A revamped intranet system to improve NYSDOL training to improve the efficiency of the claims process.
- A new modern system to replace outdated UI mainframes.
- Establish new operating models to improve and increase customer engagement.
For more information on WARN, see WARN on NYSDOL. fact sheet.
