ABI Supports New Unemployment Changes Going Into Effect Next Week

January 5, 2022 | MEDIA RELEASE: ABI Supports New Unemployment Changes Going Into Effect Next Week

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), Iowa’s largest employer association with 1,500 members representing 330,000 employees, strongly endorses the new Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Reemployment Case Management (RCM) program, effective January 9, 2022, and other unemployment changes that Governor Kim Reynolds previously announced. This week, ABI will communicate with our members to anticipate and prepare for increased contact from unemployed Iowans seeking to reenter the workforce. 

During an October press conference at ABI member Iowa Spring Manufacturing in Adel, Governor Reynolds announced that multiple, significant changes to Iowa’s unemployment insurance and benefits program will take effect during the first part of 2022. The changes include doubling the number of weekly work searches an individual performs from 2 to 4. At the Governor’s direction, IWD is also reducing the list of “reemployment activities” that can be substituted for prospective employer contacts from 27 to 12.  

“With job opportunities far exceeding the pool of recently unemployed Iowans, these changes are common sense adjustments that will help Iowans continue to bring home paychecks and keep Iowa growing,” said ABI President Mike Ralston.

The updated RCM program is designed to help unemployed individuals rejoin the workforce more quickly by assigning a career planner that will identify potential employers, find technical training and educational opportunities in high-demand fields.

“The pro-growth changes Governor Reynolds is implementing will ensure more Iowans can take advantage of great job opportunities that employers across the state have available for them,” Ralston said. “ABI appreciates the Governor’s leadership in forwarding initiatives that will benefit both employers and those seeking employment.”