DWD Honored for Use of Convenient, High-Tech Web Service For Employers

INDIANAPOLIS (May 9, 2018) — The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) received national recognition for its state-of-the-art Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Awards were presented at the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’ (NASWA) 2018 Unemployment Insurance Integrity and UI State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) symposium in Houston.

DWD was one of seven state agencies recognized for using SIDES for UI benefit claims. SIDES is a high-tech, easy-to-navigate web service that facilitates the electronic exchange of UI benefit claim information between employers, TPAs and state UI programs to ensure relevant information is transferred quickly, accurately and securely.  The paperless platform allows DWD and employers to save time and resources that would have otherwise been spent on printing, mailing and processing paper documents.

DWD implemented SIDES in 2016 through a grant paid for by the United States Department of Labor.  Employers were quick to sign up for SIDES, and now more than 50 percent of all requests for information from employers related to Indiana UI benefit claims are handled through SIDES.

“This award is a representation of the outstanding work and dedication of DWD staff to serve both citizens and employers in Indiana as we continue to improve our unemployment insurance processes and systems,” said DWD Commissioner Fred Payne. “We listened to what our employers were saying and implemented a system that was designed to be responsive to their needs.”

DWD received an Overall Outstanding Performance Award from NASWA at its national conference in Houston. DWD Chief Unemployment Insurance Officer Kate Shelby and Commissioner Fred Payne are pictured with the award.

For more information about SIDES and how to become a SIDES employer, visit https://www.in.gov/dwd/sides.htm.

For more information about NASWA’s 2018 Unemployment Insurance Integrity and SIDES Symposium, visit NASWA.org.