MHA’s Unemployment Insurance Program (UIP), with a staff of four, has over 100 years of combined experience in the field. According to Mississippi Employment Security Commission (MESC) figures, employers have a 72% success rate in unemployment appeals hearings. UIP won 90% of all hearing decisions before both the Administrative Law Judge and Board of Review levels on behalf of our participating member hospitals.

During the year, UIP held two training sessions for member hospitals on various issues involved with hiring and firing employees. The program also maintained its 100% success rate in answering phone inquiries from member hospitals about employment issues within five days, responding to all UI claims inquiries within five days, and notifying members of possible employment law violations when noted on termination forms or during UI investigations.

In 2008, we represented 81 entities (includes hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics), saving our clients overall $11,921,000 in claim charges.

New in 2009

UIP staff is in the process of implementing a web-based UI software system that will allow members to access their claim and report data via the web. We have also partnered with NextJob, an outplacement service company, to help ex-employees find their next job quickly (thereby reducing unemployment benefit charges and other potential expenses such as EEOC and wrongful termination suits). NextJob provides resume assistance, one-on-one employee consultation, and coaching throughout the transition period.