The Department of Labor's Dislocated Worker Unit (DWU) has been designated by the Governor to take the lead in providing rapid response services to worker dislocations. This assistance is designed to reduce the negative aspects of the layoffs on the company and employees. The Department encourages employers to seek assistance prior to the schedule layoffs. Service efforts which are initiated early in the restructuring process will be the most successful.

The Department's Dislocated Worker Unit will assist employers in identifying and accessing available public programs. These services include unemployment insurance, job placement assistance and retraining opportunities for the impacted employees. The Department's staff will work closely with the employer to insure that the services are provided in the most appropriate and effective manner for each company's unique situation.

For large permanent layoffs, the Department recommends that the company participate in a Reemployment Committee to coordinate services. The Reemployment Committee is comprised of company officials and impacted employees. The Department of Labor will provide staff assistance to the Committee. The Department has utilized Reemployment Committees for a wide variety of dislocations and have found that the benefits include: 1) increased company and employee involvement in the effort, 2) a more focused effort for the specific dislocation, 3) improved tracking of the status of the impacted workers, 4) enhanced job placement efforts, 5) improved communication between the workers and programs, 6) improved program coordination, and 7) increased service utilization.

For further information or assistance, please contact Leandra Burns at (208) 332-3570 ext. 3327 or E-Mail Leandra.Burns@labor.idaho.gov.