The availability of generous unemployment benefits has been a major story during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the unemployed in Hawaii now face stricter requirements if they want to continue collecting the benefits.
As of May 30, Hawaiians who turn down offers of suitable employment will no longer be eligible for unemployment benefits. The state expects to learn of these instances with cooperation from employers, who are encouraged to report when they offer employment and, more importantly, when their offer is turned down.
One source of anxiety over this new rule is the definition of "suitable work." According to officials, "suitable work" will be defined as employment that the applicant has the skills and abilities to perform and which also pays what is expected out of that position on the open market.
Previously, Hawaii Gov. David Ige suspended the requirement that stipulated that claimants must make a minimum of three job search contacts per week and document their efforts to find a job.
The website for Hawaii's unemployment system reads: "These situations are reportable and should be brought to our attention. Hawaii law prohibits individuals from receiving unemployment benefits if they refuse to accept offers of suitable work, or quit work, without good cause. Employers should provide information regarding employment refusals or employees who refuse an offer to return to work by using the web portal at: https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov."
Hawaii is not alone in the struggle to incentivize people to return to work. The enhanced unemployment benefits that were provided at a nationwide level left many, critics argue, without a desire or reason to look for work. States around the country currently are scrambling to help businesses fill open positions and decrease the unemployment rate across the board.