UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER No. 30-93
Definition of Monthly Employment for the ES 202 Report
To inform State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) of the need to communicate all necessary information on the definition of employment on their quarterly contribution reports (QCR) and their "Employer's Handbook".
Direct questions to the appropriate Regional Office.
Background: An analysis of results from a survey of companies that provide payroll and/or tax filing services or that sell payroll software has lead to the conclusion that these companies do not have all the information necessary from State QCR forms, or within "Employer's Handbooks" provided by States, to be able to provide data which conforms to the State definition of monthly employment. This results in inaccurate data being submitted. Recommendation: This data is of vital importance in a number of national statistics and is used widely by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Commerce and the Unemployment Insurance Service. Therefore, it is recommended that States add a statement such as the following to their QCR: "The monthly employment data reported on line item should be a count of all full-time and part-time workers in covered employment (subject to this State's Unemployment Compensation Law) who performed services during the payroll period which includes the 12th of the month. If no employment in the payroll period, enter zero." Further, it is recommended that this statement and more detailed information on monthly employment be included in the State's "Employer's Handbook". Action Required: State Administrators should share this information with appropriate staff. State administrators might consider forwarding inquiries on the issue to the State Labor Market Information units which should be able to respond.
All State Employment Security Agencies
Barbara Ann Farmer Administrator for Regional Management
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration