The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) has announced the rollout of enhancements to the state’s job website, NEworks.nebraska.gov. The upgrades improve efficiency for both users and the Department through several time-saving features and the integration of unemployment insurance functions into the site.

“These enhancements follow this summer’s upgrade that eliminated separate logins for job search functions and unemployment claims,” said Commissioner of Labor John H. Albin.  “We are streamlining processes, leaving workers more time to focus on their employment strategy rather than technical requirements.”

Workers on unemployment are required to make and record job contacts and applications as a condition of eligibility, including at least one job contact per week using NEworks.  Work search activity performed in the site is now automatically saved in the unemployment claim, reducing time spent filling out the weekly certification of eligibility.  Fact-finding screens for unemployment insurance were enhanced to allow staff to capture more information up front to make determinations regarding benefit eligibility.  The change reduces phone calls to claimants and expedites claim processing.

Following the completion of the weekly certification, claimants are now automatically directed to the Employment Strategy Page, allowing them a quick look at the available jobs in the area, as well as access to tools such as a virtual recruiter used by both employers and job seekers.  Nebraska is the only state with a workforce website that provides a one-stop Unemployment Services page, which links to various instruction guides for completing registration in NEworks, filing a claim, and logging job contacts.

In conjunction with the enhancements, the Department has produced a series of instructional videos in English and Spanish addressing common mistakes, reemployment success tips and ways to reduce errors and misreporting that can lead to delayed or inaccurate benefit payments.  The videos appear in the weekly certification and on the Department of Labor’s YouTube channel.