Code of Maine Rules › 12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR › 172 - MAINE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE COMMISSION › Chapter 10 - WORK SEARCH REQUIREMENTS › Section 172-10-1 - Work Search

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. There are many
				factors that will affect the type of work search a claimant should conduct.
				These include the claimant's usual occupation or customary work, other
				occupations in which the claimant has training or experience, the claimant's
				educational background, the number of potential job openings in the area in
				which the claimant is able and available to commute, as per Chapter 9 of these
				Rules, and the length of unemployment. The deputy will consider, but will not
				be limited to, the above listed factors and the following factors on a
				case-by-case basis:
1.
Method of
				Contact
Claimants are required to actually contact employers in
				  order to be considered to have conducted a work search. A combination of
				  methods, including soliciting and filing of job applications, sending letters
				  and resumes, whether in person, by regular mail, or by email, registration with
				  the Career Center Job Bank and the use of employment agencies are considered
				  effective means of conducting a work search. Use of the internet for job
				  searching is appropriate but simply browsing the internet, without actually
				  making contact with employers, does not meet the work search
				  requirement.
2.
Length of Unemployment
The claimant's length of unemployment is an important factor
				  related to the work search process. Claimants who have been unemployed for less
				  than ten weeks may make contacts in fields closely related to their customary
				  work. Claimants who have been unemployed for ten weeks or longer, must increase
				  their efforts to seek work, including making contacts in fields outside of
				  their customary work.
3.
Number of Contacts
Claimants are required to seek work each week. While
				  claimants are not required to make a minimum number of contacts per week, they
				  must make a conscientious effort that a reasonably prudent individual would use
				  to obtain the type(s) of employment being sought.
4.
Reporting Work Search
				Contacts
Claimants opening initial or additional initial claims, or
				  reopening claimsmust keep track of their work search efforts in writing in a
				  form that can be produced as requested by the Bureau. Claimants may use the
				  Work Search Log provided by the Bureau or some other form of written record
				  that contains, at a minimum the date of each contact with a potential employer,
				  the name of the employer contacted and a verifiable contact for each employer.
				  Claimants may retain a copy of submitted applications as proof of contact. If
				  applying online, claimants must record the internet addresses in their Work
				  Search Logs. Claimants are required to keep their work search logs for a period
				  of one year from the date of receipt of unemployment benefits.
Upon request, the claimant must mail a copy of the completed
				  Work Search Log and accompanying materials to the Bureau by the date requested.
				  Failure to produce the Work Search Log by the date requested may result in
				  denial of benefits for the period of time covered by the Work Search
				  Log.