UIA Announces Launch of New Office of Employer Ombudsman

Contact: Chawn Greene-Farmer 313-456-2939

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

September 22, 2011 - In an effort to provide the state's employers with better service, Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency today announced the launch of a newly-created Office of the Employer Ombudsman (OEO).

"Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency is launching the Office of the Employer Ombudsman (OEO) which will benefit employers across the state. The move will create a single, responsive point of contact for employers and enable us to leverage agency resources to provide faster, more efficient resolution of employer concerns," said Steven H. Hilfinger, director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which oversees UIA.

Steve Arwood, director, Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) said "OEO is the newest in a line of comprehensive employer customer services offered through UIA. Employers will be able to interact with the office by phone through a new, toll free phone number and via e-mail, which will provide employers with the capability to express concerns and communicate with the agency on a round-the-clock basis."

OEO's efforts to meet the needs of Michigan's employer community will be guided by its service guarantees, which focus on immediately addressing employer concerns, acknowledging and following up with concerns submitted via email within two business days and following up with employers within two business days to advise of further investigation necessary to resolve their concerns.

Employers will be able to contact OEO through its toll-free phone number at 1-855-484-2636 (4-UIAOEO) or via e-mail at OEO@michigan.gov. The Office will be open from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Other UIA employer resources include the Advocacy Program, Fraud Hotline, Tax Services, Employer Web Account Manager (EWAM), Speakers Bureau and Employer Filed Claims (EFC). For additional details regarding any of UIA's Employer Customer Services, please visit the Agency's Website at www.michigan.gov/uia.

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