The Missouri Labor and Industrial Relations Commission (LIRC) has reduced the average time it takes to resolve unemployment appeals. Ninety-five percent of cases are now completed within 40 days of reaching the Commission.
On December 31, 2017, the LIRC had 606 cases with an average age of 103 days. To combat the length of these cases, the LIRC reviewed its processes, pinpointed problem areas, and created solutions to streamline the resolution time of unemployment dispute cases. Today, the LIRC has only 43 pending cases with an average age of 12.6 days. This is the first time in over 20 years the LIRC has less than 100 pending unemployment cases.
Commissioner Reid Forrester has been an advocate of this project since his appointment. “Moving from a completion rate of approximately 3% to 95% of pending cases in 40 days or less, provides needed funds to unemployed workers in a timely manner, helping them through a possibly difficult time,” said Commissioner Forrester. “Adjudicating these cases quickly provides certainty for the employers and is one of the building blocks that will keep the state economy stable or growing.”
The change in the time was the result of an improved workflow process. An internal logging system was also created to track the age of cases and identify areas of potential issues.
The LIRC hears all appeals from decisions and awards in unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and prevailing wage at the highest administrative level. In connection with these appellate duties, the LIRC holds hearings and renders written opinions.
Comentários