But they only worked for me for a week...

While the length of time the employee has worked may have an impact on an employer’s financial liability for an unemployment claim, it does not completely absolve the employer from the responsibility to respond to the claim.

An unemployment claim is something most employers will face at some time in the course of business. Having clearly outlined policies with signed acknowledgments will definitely hold you in better stead than having no documentation at all – but when it comes to unemployment claims there is no perfect shield.

I often tell our clients that the old saying “Hire slow, fire fast” does have merit, and fear of an unemployment claim should not guide the development or enforcement of company policies. Fully understanding the UI process can make it seem a little less threatening. TWC explains the process.

I further recommend employers familiarize themselves with the chargeback process to better understand how it impacts their tax rate. Circumstances alter cases and responses should be customized to the particular incident and in response to potential regulatory oversight.