COVID-19 Unemployment for Employers

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Employee Work Refusal Form

If a Tennessee employer has an employee who refuses to return to work, and the employees does not meet specific CARES Act qualifications, the employer can notify the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development by filling out the form found in the tab below

Refusal of Suitable Work Form

If a Tennessee employer offers a job to a candidate who declines to accept the position offered, the employer can notify the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development by filling out the form found in the "Submit a Refusal to Work" button below. If the work offered is found to be suitable and the candidate was collecting UI benefits, those benefits may be denied from the date of the refusal of the job offer.

What do I do if I offer a claimant suitable work and they refuse the offer?

Tennessee law requires unemployment claimants to accept suitable work when offered by an employer or risk disqualification from the unemployment benefits program. If an employer notifies the agency an applicant who is receiving unemployment did not accept a job offer, the agency will investigate the allegation. TDLWD requires the employer to provide the name of the claimant, the job title refused, the job’s pay rate and the required job duties. Employers can submit that information through the REFUSAL TO WORK portal available here.

If your business is reducing hours or closing due to COVID-19 you may expedite the unemployment claim process for your employees by submitting an Employer-Filed Mass Claim.

Employer-Filed Mass Claim

This is the preferred method if your business has not yet closed and you believe you will reopen. If you are uncertain of a reopen date, enter 16 weeks from the date of filing. Employers provide a list of employee names and required information to file a claim on behalf of employees. Instruct employees not to file an individual claim and that they will need to certify each Sunday to be paid in a timely manner.

Download Employer-Filed Mass Claim Form Here

Employers can send partial layoffs to Partial.Claims@tn.gov

Important Information:

• If you do not submit an employer filed a mass claim, you will be required to respond to each individual employee’s claim, delaying the benefit payment process.
• You should encourage your employees to have an active email address to ensure this process works efficiently.
• Please tell your employees to look for an email so they can register at Jobs4TN.gov, where they will complete weekly certifications to notify the state they are still not working.