Oklahoma Employers May Object Early to Unemployment Benefits Claims: Employment Law Manual Updated, Legal Timetable Entries Added

Authors: Michael Jacobson and Tracy Morley, XpertHR Legal Editors

Oklahoma has amended its unemployment insurance law to allow an employer to file an objection to a benefits claim even before an employee files the claim. The law currently allows an employer to file a written objection after an employee files a claim and within 10 days after receiving a benefits determination notice. Effective April 30, 2016, an employer will have the option to file an objection electronically as soon as an employee terminates.

The law was also amended in regard to benefits overpayments made to employees. The amended law specifies that an employer will be liable for the amount of an overpayment if it fails to honor a Notice of Levy, such as by failing to make the appropriate deduction from the employee's wages. This provision takes effect November 1, 2015.

In light of these developments, the Oklahoma Legally Required Benefits and Involuntary Terminations sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated. Legal Timetable entries have been added regarding objections and overpayments.