Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) is launching new online tools tomorrow to improve the unemployment insurance claims process for employers. These tools, part of the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES), aim to speed up and enhance the accuracy of information sharing between employers and the DLIR. According to Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the additional features within SIDES will also aid in curbing errors and preventing fraud. The system, developed through collaboration with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (U.S.DOL), offers a secure web-based environment for employers to manage UI claims.
DLIR Director Jade T. Butay hailed the SIDES platform as an innovative step, sharing, "We’re improving efficiency and reliability for employers on our existing portal while developing a new platform to replace the legacy application on the mainframe," a statement obtained by Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Employers can start using this system with ease, thanks to the single sign-on feature that has been added to the web portal. This sign-on feature not only bolsters security but also simplifies the entire process, reducing the potential for errors, and, helping employers to maintain a lower tax rate.
Ease of navigation is also a highlight for the DLIR, as UI Administrator Anne Perreira-Eustaquio pointed out, "SIDES enables employers to focus on their core operations with confidence knowing that their UI claims management is streamlined and efficient." As reported by the DLIR, this innovative solution comes in two formats: SIDES E-Response for employers with fewer UI claims and SIDES System Integration designed for Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), or those handling UI claims across multiple states. The services aim to connect employers to model software allowing for web-based responses.
Employers who are interested in the new SIDES tools can seek further information on the DLIR website, or reach out directly to the SIDES support team via email at [email protected] or call 808-586-9075. This electronic tool targets the quick and accurate coordination between employers and state UI requests. Once a UI claim is filed, employers will be notified via email to provide separation information through the Separation Information (SI) exchange or to verify earnings through the Earnings Verification (EV) exchange as needed, as was previously managed through paper-based methods.
