Some in the Pee Dee disagree with unemployment crackdown
FLORENCE- Lawmakers working to cut spending on the state's cash-strapped unemployment insurance fund, are proposing a variety of changes to the current program including potential drug testing and community service for unemployment beneficiaries.
One measure in the Senate, S1050, would require drug testing before a person was able to receive their first unemployment check.
The bill, sponsored by Senators Kevin Bryant (R- Dist. 3) and Dick Elliot (D- Dist. 28), would provide for a period of ineligibility to receive benefits for an applicant who tests positive for controlled substances, would provide notice to the applicant prior to testing and would provide for retesting and reapplication if the drug test results are positive for controlled substances.
While the applicant would have to cover the cost of the drug test, if the results are negative, the state would reimburse them with the amount paid in their first unemployment check.
If the applicant tests positive, that person would not be eligible for unemployment benefits for 20 weeks unless they can provide documentation that they completed a substance abuse treatment program.
If a test comes back positive, the applicant can take another test within 24 hours of the first and the second test would be used to determine their eligibility.
Another measure in the House, H4043, would also involve drug testing for those receiving unemployment benefits, but the measure would allow an employer to confidentially notify the Department of Employment and Workforce when a prospective employee who is currently receiving unemployment benefits, fails a drug test.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Edward Tallon Sr. (R- Dist. 33) and many others, states that the applicant could not receive benefits after the failed test until they have completed a drug treatment program and passed a second drug test.
The bill's sponsors said it would cover the employer by making applicants sign a consent form, which limits the liability of the employer for breach of confidentialy, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation claims resulting from the drug test results being handed over to the state.
Florida Dept Of Unemployment - News
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I just lost my job. Never collected unemployment beneficts in the states before. Strange thing is I was one of the people who worked for DEO, the late workforce agency in Florida. To be specific I worked for a contractor, Faneuil, who used to process the excess call volume the goverment office could not handle. About 300 people, 10,000+ calls a day one call center alone. We were told Florida’s Unemployment Dept. did not renewed our contract and for that reason we were no longer needed, so we all got our yellow envelopes and meaningless thanks from our former employer and we were sent home, Monday morning 12/19/11. when I began working there I used to work 10am to 10pm, a good hour after the system shut down just to clear the lines. People used to wait on average more than an hour on the line. At the end of the job the wait time was less than 15 mins. Our hours went down to 8am to 5pm, to 8am to 3pm, to nothing. Now those wait times are going back up, so be ready fellow unemployed floridians to wait, and wait, and wait on the phones to be told you have to wait, wait, wait.