TENNESSEE EMPLOYERS RACK UP FEDERAL INCOME TAX CREDITS WHEN HIRING NEW EMPLOYEES

NASHVILLE – Tennessee employers taking advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program achieved a record high in potential federal income tax savings during the fiscal year that ended in September 2012, announced Burns Phillips, acting commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Last year the department issued 64,300 WOTC tax credit certifications to Tennessee employers, representing a potential federal income tax savings in excess of $232 million.

TENNESSEE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASES FROM 7.8 PECENT IN MARCH
 

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Labor & Workforce Development Acting Commissioner Burns Phillips announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for April was 8.0 percent, which increased two tenths of one percentage point from the March revised rate of 7.8 percent. The national unemployment rate for April 2013 was 7.5 percent, decreasing by one tenth of one percentage point from the previous month.

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Database has most Tennessee jobs on the Internet

NASHVILLE – Tuesday marks the first anniversary of Jobs4TN Online, Tennessee’s comprehensive jobs database launched by Governor Haslam in May 2012. Since going live a year ago 108,500 job seekers have registered with the system, and more than one million job searches have been tallied.

Legislation brings clarity, fairness to system
 
CLARKSVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today held a ceremonial bill signing at Clarksville Foundry, Inc. for his workers’ compensation reform legislation, HB 194/SB 200, approved by the General Assembly.
 
Workers’ compensation premium rates for employers in Tennessee are higher than the national average and higher than all of Tennessee’s bordering states, and the state is one of only two that adjudicated workers’ compensation claims in the trial courts, often delaying benefits to employees and producing inconsistent results.

Web-Based System Improves Timeliness of Unemployment Information Submission

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announces an electronic separation process to help reduce overpayment of unemployment insurance. State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) E-Response is a Web site through which employers submit electronic responses to unemployment insurance information requests. The voluntary system was introduced in April 2012, but currently only 13% of employers are taking advantage of the system.

PROVISION DOES NOT AFFECT TAX RATING OF EMPLOYERS

NASHVILLE – Labor & Workforce Development Acting Commissioner Burns Phillips announced today the 108^th General Assembly passed legislation that continues the funding of unemployment benefits for spouses who quit their job to accompany military personnel who leave their jobs to transfer to a new assignment. Funding for the program for the current fiscal year was nearly exhausted, prompting the legislative action.

RATES DECREASE IN MAJORITY OF TENNESSEE COUNTIES

NASHVILLE – County unemployment rates for March 2013, released today, show the rate decreased in 58 counties, increased in 24, and stayed the same in 13. Specific county information is available on the Internet; enter http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/LaborMarch13.pdf.

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BEDFORD VISION Awarded $20,900

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips have awarded $20,900 to Bedford Vision in Shelbyville.

DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE CAREER SERVICES TO ALL 95 COUNTIES
 

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Acting Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced that the department is restructuring its career center network to more effectively serve Tennessee citizens within current budget constraints. Thirty-four career centers will permanently suspend job services in order to continue job placement activities with fewer federal dollars.

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TENNESSEE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASES FROM 7.8 PECENT IN FEBRUARY

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Labor & Workforce Development Interim Commissioner Burns Phillips announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for March was 7.9 percent, which increased one tenth of one percentage point from the February revised rate of 7.8 percent. The national unemployment rate for March 2013 was 7.6 percent, decreasing by one tenth of one percentage point from the previous month.

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