The Department of Labor is reminding unemployed Vermonters that they must return to work if called back by their employer, with the exception of those who have been exposed to Covid-19 or those who must care for a family member.
Those who refuse to return to suitable work may risk losing benefits, the department said.
Individuals who have been laid off or furloughed, and are being paid because their employer has been accepted into the Paycheck Protection Program, are not eligible for unemployment benefits, the labor department said. Refusal to accept PPP wages will be construed by the department as a refusal of work.
“As businesses are allowed to slowly reopen safely across the state, per the Governor’s Executive Order, we have heard from employers that individuals are refusing to work or accept their employment wages because they are ‘making more’ on unemployment,” Interim Commissioner Michael Harrington said.
Employers who believe an employee is unjustly refusing working may report that through the department’s website.
The Department of Labor advises claimants called back to work to simply stop filing a weekly claim. Vermonters that return to work but see reduced hours, may be eligible to file a weekly claim for lost wages. These Vermonters must report all gross earnings and hours worked for the week to determine eligibility.
The CARES Act specifically provides serious legal consequences for fraudulent claims. Individuals are responsible for paying back benefits deemed to have been overpaid due to material misstatements or omissions and may face other legal penalties.
— Sarah Asch
