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Unemployment News for Employers

Misclassification  |  Interest Rate on Delinquent Taxes  |  Required Poster  |  Respond to UI Requests  |  Labor Law Training  |  Employer Handbook

Message from DWD Secretary Pechacek

DWD Secretary Pechacek

Dear Wisconsin Employer:

I have great news to share: Once, again, tax rates for 2024 remain in the lowest rate schedule, Schedule D. Schedule D has been in effect since 2018, and the UI Trust Fund balance on June 30, 2023, was sufficient to stay with the lowest rate schedule next calendar year.

Speaking of great news, I'm also pleased to share the Wisconsin's economy remains on a winning streak. This year, Wisconsin reached a record high in monthly total nonfarm jobs, and our unemployment rate and number of unemployed individuals reached record monthly lows.

We know our state's economic winning streak signals optimism for the future, yet we also know many employers are feeling anxious about their ability to fill jobs. Many of these concerns are due to the worker quantity challenge being felt in Wisconsin, across the nation and beyond. The workforce shortage is due to demographic trends that have been decades in the making, including the aging and retirement of Baby Boomers. It also reflects the gradual rise of employment barriers including lack of access to affordable childcare, transportation, housing, and broadband.

What sets Wisconsin apart is our innovative approach to workforce solutions to help employers find needed talent. At the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, we are here to support you, and I encourage you to connect with one of our business services representatives at your nearest Wisconsin Job Center location. These experts provide employers with tailored assistance to fill your need for skilled workers. Visit www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/directory/business_services.htm to get in touch with your local business services team today!

Thank you,

Amy Pechacek
Secretary

Worker Misclassification

Worker misclassification occurs when an employer treats workers as independent contractors when they are really employees. Under the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance law, workers are presumed to be employees unless the employer proves that workers meet the legal criteria to be independent contractors.

QR Code for Misclassification website

Worker classification is important because it determines an employer's legal obligations for Unemployment Insurance, Worker's Compensation, and income tax and social security withholding. The Department of Workforce Development has created a new website to assist both workers and employers in determining whether workers are properly classified. The website is located at dwd.wi.gov/misclass, and the QR code is at the left. QR Code for Misclassification Spanish brochure

The Department has also created a brochure in Spanish dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publications/erd/pdf/erd-19681-s-p.pdf to assist workers and employers with correct worker classification. Please link to the brochure by using the following QR code:

Interest Rate on Delinquent UI Taxes

The interest rate on delinquent UI tax payments may be changing for 2024. Wisconsin Statute s. 108.22(1)(a) provides the annualized interest rate charged on delinquent UI taxes is the greater of 9 percent (0.75 percent monthly) or 2 percent more than the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal as of September 30 of the preceding year.

The current prime rate is 8.5 percent: www.wsj.com/market-data/bonds/moneyrates. If this prime rate holds until the end of September, the new annualized interest rate effective January 1, 2024, would be 10.50 percent. This new rate would be applied to interest assessed for months going forward.

This would be the first increase since the statute was amended to reduce our statutory interest rate from 12 percent to the greater of 9 percent or 2 percent more than the prime rate.

Watch this site dwd.wisconsin.gov/uitax/interestrate for any changes to the interest rate on delinquent UI tax payments.

Required Workplace Poster Updates

Image of required poster with banner saying Update Coming Soon

In our efforts to expand access and clarify communications with claimants, the Notice to Employees About Applying for Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits (UCB-7-P) will be updated with expanded online hours to apply for UI benefits and other improvements including where to find help.

Go to dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publications/ui/notice.htm to print the revised required workplace poster and display where workers will easily see it, or share directly.

Responding Electronically to UI Requests Saves Time and Money

State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) and SIDES E-Response are two options to simplify and streamline responses to UI information requests securely and free of charge.

Employers using the web-based SIDES E-Response can better anticipate and supply the data needed in a secure manner for UI information requests and in return, reduce follow-up phone calls and paperwork, prevent improper payments, and streamline UI response processes, ultimately saving time and money. For more information, please visit dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/sides.

Labor Law Training

Open to the public, DWD offers interactive, educational virtual half-day Labor Law Clinics and two-hour web conferences called Friday Fundamentals. DWD staff explain many of the laws and rules the agency administers on the following topic areas: Fair Employment, Wage and Hour, Worker's Compensation, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, and Employment and Training. The registration fee for each clinic or session includes reference materials in advance of each session. A certificate of attendance is available for continuing education credits. Visit dwd.wisconsin.gov/laborlaw for 2023-2024 training topics scheduled.

Employer Handbook

The UI Handbook for Employers is intended to assist employers in meeting their obligations under the Wisconsin UI law, Chapter 108, Wisconsin Statutes. To keep up-to-date on all UI program laws and policies, please view or print this handbook at dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui201.

Wage information and other confidential unemployment insurance information may be requested and used for other governmental purposes, including verification of an individual’s eligibility for other government programs. For complete information on the rules regarding disclosure, refer to Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter DWD 149.


Publication UCT-17289-P (Rev. 10/2023)