Profiling Unemployment Expertise: HRlogics UCM's Joe Turner and the Art of Unemployment Cost Management in the Staffing Industry

Turner joined the HRlogics team in September, spearheading the unemployment claims management solution as the Vice President of Unemployment Claims Operations. In this pivotal role, Turner oversees the daily cost control and compliance management of full-service clients. 

Turner's extensive career in unemployment cost management has seen him assume increasingly influential roles in unemployment insurance operations. Notably, he most recently led a team of 96 Claims Analysts and Hearings Coordinators, successfully managing a staggering 1 million Unemployment Claims and averaging an impressive 45,000 Unemployment Hearings annually. 

Turner’s name is synonymous with excellence in the UI industry, earning respect from Fortune 100 customers and current HRlogics leadership who have previously had the privilege of collaborating with him in complementary industries such as employer tax credits and verification services.

Turner not only possesses extensive knowledge of unemployment cost management, but also excels as an expert in effectively managing unemployment costs within the staffing industry. We recently sat down with Turner and discussed the challenges faced by staffing agencies and the pivotal role of technology in managing the ebb and flow of unemployment claims.

Staffing Agencies and Unemployment Insurance: Understanding the Cost of Doing Business

Turner sheds light on the constant flux of employees transitioning on and off unemployment—a routine reality for staffing agencies. When unemployment claims are filed repeatedly, staffing agencies are more vulnerable to hikes in their unemployment insurance (UI) rates than traditional employers. The key, as Turner emphasizes, lies in ensuring favorable terminations for those ineligible, covering not just the employee but the broader spectrum of UI administration.

Navigating State-Specific Nuances

The landscape of unemployment law varies from state to state, posing a challenge for staffing agencies. Turner stresses the importance of staying abreast of state laws, particularly in understanding the requirements and nuances that shape the unemployment process. This vigilance becomes crucial for agencies of all sizes, from large enterprises to smaller entities grappling with the intricacies of state regulations.

Employees often grapple with a gap in understanding the benefits and responsibilities related to unemployment. Turner highlights the significance of communication by both the staffing agency and its clients when terminating employees. 

Fortunately, with HRlogics UCM’s dedicated representatives for all clients, the constant dialogue ensures compliance with state laws, tracks employee communication, and verifies the availability of work, creating a robust system that goes beyond the conventional understanding of unemployment.

The Role of Experts in the Unemployment Claims Process

HRlogics UCM stands out with its unique approach, serving both full-service clients (Total UCM) and offering a cost-effective "do-it-yourself" solution (Clear UCM) for your internal UI team.

Turner underscores the differences between Clear UCM’s software and Total UCM's full-service approach, highlighting the seasoned experts you gain from being a full-service client. Turner explains that Unemployment Tracker’s full-service approach ensures effective communication and management of unemployment data. 

HRlogics UCM is committed to understanding state laws and ensuring constant communication for optimal unemployment claims management by assigning a dedicated representative to each client.

Looking Forward

Turner's vision for HRlogics UCM is clear—it's not just about the software but the service behind it. As the industry evolves, the goal is to build the next generation of industry experts, ensuring that HRlogics becomes synonymous with a career opportunity rather than a mere call center.

In this detailed conversation, Turner provides a panoramic view of the challenges and triumphs in the world of workforce management, where every unemployment claim is a note in the symphony of employment dynamics.