E08: Navigating UI Trends: Transforming Unemployment Services in Pennsylvania

VOScast

This episode features a conversation with Susan Dickinson and Nsungwe Shamatutu from Pennsylvania's Office of Unemployment Compensation Service Centers. They explore current trends in unemployment insurance, including system modernization, plain language initiatives, and the impact of remote work. The guests also share their experiences managing the pandemic-related backlog, for which they won a Governor's Award for Excellence. Discover innovative programs like deploying UI staff to career centers and a pilot program with vocational rehabilitation services. The conversation also covers valuable advice for unemployment insurance professionals, emphasizing the importance of inter-state connections, understanding the political nature of unemployment programs, and continuously improving customer experiences.