Sec.31-235-23. Efforts— method of work search; exemptions

(a) The Administrator shall find that a claimant is making adequate efforts to obtain work in any week in which the claimant reports the minimum number of work search efforts prescribed by the Administrator during the week the claimant filed for benefits. The claimant shall certify to the Administrator the required number of work search efforts in a manner prescribed by the Administrator. Failure to provide the required number of valid work search contacts for a week in which a claim is filed or failure to answer fully all questions related to a work search contact provided by the claimant may result in the denial of benefits.

(b) A valid work search activity shall include, but not be limited, to the following:

(1) applying to an employer for work, in a manner prescribed by the Administrator, for which the claimant is reasonably suited, based upon prior work experience, skills, knowledge and ability and which will ensure the employer will be able to contact the claimant regarding possible employment;

(2) attending a work shop at an American Job Center;

(3) attending a job fair;

(4) participating in reemployment service activities at an American Job Center;

(5) creating a reemployment plan;

(6) attending a job interview;

(7) creating a resume and uploading the resume to the Connecticut Department of Labor’s State Job Bank; or

(8) creating a personal user profile on a professional networking site.

(c) Work search efforts may be conducted on any day of the week in which a claimant files for benefits.

(d) Multi-day work search activities may be considered multiple work search activities during a particular week.

(e) A valid work search does not include:

(1) seeking self-employment;

(2) working as an independent contractor; or

(3) reporting part-time work.

(f) The claimant shall retain all work search effort information necessary for verification by the Administrator for a minimum of three (3) years from the date such effort was undertaken. The Administrator may request information that includes, but is not limited to:

(1) date of the work search activity;

(2) information on the employer, including, but not limited to, the name of the employer, contact person at the employer, employer’s Internet web address, and telephone number of the employer;

(3) position applied for by claimant, if a specific position was advertised;

(4) result of the work search activity;

(5) copy of confirmation of receipt of application or resume by the employer for an online application, if available;

(6) copy of job advertisement, when applicable;

(7) copy of workshop flyer; and

(8) copy of job fair flyer.

(g) The Administrator may exempt a claimant from the requirement to complete work search efforts and retain work search effort information when the claimant is:

(1) job attached and is scheduled to return to work on a definite date as prescribed by the Administrator;

(2) union attached;

(3) engaged in state-approved training;

(4) participating in a shared work program approved by the Administrator; or

(5) serving on jury duty.

(Effective June 24, 1986; Amended November 5, 2020)