Indiana Department of Workforce Development lays off 123 state employees
The bulk of the layoffs affected employees working on the state's unemployment insurance program, with 57 employees laid off. The department removed an additional 48 people helping with workforce programs and laid off 18 people working in administration.
'The Department of Workforce Development experienced budget reductions at both the state and federal levels. As a result, operational adjustments were necessary to ensure we remain fiscally responsible in how we serve Indiana,' the department said in an emailed statement. 'The decision to reduce staff was made with great care and consideration. Our teams work with Hoosiers every day- including those navigating unemployment- and that perspective helped guide our decision-making process.'
The cuts at DWD are the latest to hit state agencies, which saw more than 50 employees across agencies like the Department of Education and the Indiana State Library let go in June. At the time, Braun told IndyStar his staff was looking for places to cut that would make state government more efficient.
Employment within DWD peaked in April 2021 at 1,272, according to the Indiana Transparency Portal. The current total number of employees sits at 791, meaning the department has reduced more than a third of its staff in four years. However, current numbers are closer to pre-pandemic levels — the department had 772 employees six years ago.
The layoffs follow Braun's executive order from February targeting unemployment insurance fraud. That order requires DWD to take extra measures to ensure applicant eligibility and provide quarterly progress reports to the governor.
State data shows there are now 67 people working in unemployment insurance: 38 in quality control, 16 in the tax department, eight in a category labelled 'Integrity/TrustFund' and five cashiers.
This story may be updated.
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