During this unprecedented time, many employers have been forced to lay off employees, in response to stay-at-home orders, social distancing restrictions, lack of available work, and concerns about contracting COVID-19. In response, the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provided expanded unemployment benefits to impacted individuals. The CARES Act provides additional weekly supplement payments, additional weeks of benefits, and a new program, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, for those who traditionally have not qualified for unemployment benefits.
As employers begin reopening their doors to a “new normal,” in compliance with the Responsible RestartOhio requirements, many employees are expected to return to their previous employment. Ohio law prohibits individuals from receiving unemployment benefits if they refuse to accept offers of suitable work, or quit work, without good cause.
If you have employees who refuse to return to work or quit work, it’s important that they let the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) know so we can make accurate eligibility determinations. To report these occurrences, please visit unemployment.ohio.gov/employer and click on “Return to Work Guidelines.” This will take you to a web page to report these employees for investigation by ODJFS.