DOL Reissues Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Letters

The Division of Unemployment Insurance has corrected the issue related to the 2024 UI tax rate letters mailed in January. Corrected letters have been mailed to employers the week of February 5, 2024. The corrected letters have a date of February 1, 2024.

The Division of Unemployment would like to thank all employers for their patience while this process was completed.

DOL to Re-issue Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Letters Due to Error

The Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI) recently mailed 2024 UI tax rate letters that contained incorrect information. We apologize for the error. We are working to correct the issue and will mail new letters with the correct rate as quickly as possible. All employers will receive updated letters even if their rate does not change. Updates on this effort will be posted to our website, DOL social media sites, and we will utilize other communication methods at our disposal to share this message.

DOL Conducting 2024 Annual Prevailing Wage Survey

The Department is currently conducting its Annual Prevailing Wage Survey for state-funded construction projects. On December 20, 2023, the Department mailed over 4500 survey forms to contractors and various interested parties. The completed survey forms must be postmarked or returned no later than February 8, 2024, to the Department of Labor for the data to be used in the calculation of the Delaware Prevailing Wage Rates. On or before March 15, 2024, the Department shall publish its annual “Prevailing Wage Determination” which will be valid for a period of one year. For copies of survey instructions and forms use the following links:

or you may contact the Department at 302-318-2769. The Department is also offering, and encouraging, reporting the information electronically. Please open the link to be directed to the electronic instructions. https://ollea.delawareworks.com

Department of Labor Releases New Fraud Prevention Guidelines for Employers and Claimants

WILMINGTON, Delaware – The Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) has re-released Fraud Prevention guidelines for employers and claimants to protect against identity theft and fraud involving unemployment insurance benefits as incidence of new consumer scams increase across the country.

In recent months, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has received multiple reports of scams where job seekers and those seeking unemployment insurance benefits have had their identity and other personal information compromised through schemes that promise employment.

In these cases, phony job postings that are listed on reputable employment websites offering to assist in starting a business or opportunities to earn money working from home. The fake postings use the names of well-known employers to post job openings that don’t exist. The goal of the fraudsters is to get those responding to send personal information or money in order to get the job.

DOL urges that people use caution when considering these posts. To avoid scams like those noted above, it is recommended that individuals:
Verify job openings before applying. Visit the official website for the organization or company you’re applying for. Most legitimate companies include a “career opportunities” or “jobs” section on their websites.
See what others are saying. Look up the name of the company along with words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” The results may include experiences of others who’ve lost money.
Beware of depositing a check from someone you don’t know. An honest employer should never send you a check and then tell you to send them part of the money as a prerequisite for getting hired. That’s a fake check scam.
There are additional guidelines for active employees and members of the public who have not applied for unemployment insurance.

If you receive fraudulent correspondence that resembles any of the following, please contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance immediately:

A letter stating that you have received a monetary determination regarding unemployment insurance
A notification that you have failed the Unemployment Insurance application security verification assessment
A letter notifying you of your potential eligibility for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), but you have not applied for unemployment
“If you suspect fraud, please contact DOL immediately” said Darryl Scott, Director of the Division of Unemployment Insurance. “We have staff available to assist, and we work with law enforcement agencies that help the public avoid these fraud attempts and scams daily.”

Forward any relevant information to the Delaware Department of Labor by email to uifraud@delaware.gov. Make sure to include your contact and any information that may support our investigation into the incident.

We also encourage people to report the incident to their local police department, and file a complaint with the Fraud and Consumer Protection Division in the State Attorney General’s Office. This division is designed to help victims of identity theft.

To file a complaint call (302) 577-8600 or submit online via https://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud/cpu/complaint.

###

Media Contact:

Alejandro Bodipo-Memba

DOL Communications

(302)761-8002

Delaware Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy Releases Report on Delaware Women in Construction Trades

WILMINGTON, Del —The Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy, a Division of the Delaware Department of Human Resources, in partnership with the Delaware Departments of Labor and Education, released a new report titled- Delaware Women in the Construction Trades: A Path to Economic Security. The report examines the current state of women working in the construction trades and offers concrete solutions for how to increase the number of women participating in fields that have traditionally been male-dominated industries.

The significance of the report is made clear in the face of a looming labor shortage in Delaware’s construction industry with 55% of construction contractors reporting difficulty finding skilled workers in the second quarter of 2022. According to the report, women in Delaware’s construction industry currently make up 9.3% of the total industry, including administrative and sales roles. However, Delaware women represent just 3% of construction and extraction occupations such as plumbers, carpenters, and electricians.

“Increasing the number of Delaware women in construction trades is a win-win for both Delaware families and construction employers,” said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement and Advocacy. “Delaware women need jobs that have family-sustaining wages, and Delaware construction employers desperately need more skilled talent. This report outlines concrete steps Delaware can take to open construction trades to women of today and girls looking for careers tomorrow.”

The report also pays close attention to the role apprenticeship programs can have in addressing the small number of women working in the construction trades. Several recommendations from the report focus on ways to expand apprenticeship opportunities for women who may be considering a trade, as well as ways to increase support for women already working in the industry.

“Post pandemic, both employers and workers face new workforce dynamics that we all must work together to address,” said Karryl Hubbard, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor. “Delaware has more job openings than those looking for work and if Delaware is to remain competitive, all of us need to be at the table developing solutions, including promoting programs designed to reach women and others that have historically been on the outside looking in when it comes to skilled trades.”

OWAA is working with the Delaware Department of Labor (DOL) to highlight specific programming available to job seekers – particularly women – through Registered Apprenticeships and other training programs that DOL champions.

To view the report, visit: de.gov/TradesReport

MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Smith, Department of Human Resources
Karen.M.Smith@delaware.gov