RI Labor Dept. hires laid off employees to help the unemployed

The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training says it is bringing back eleven previously laid off employees to help with the unemployment insurance call center. 

Jobless Rhode Islanders have had to wait for hours, and in some cases days, to get a call through.  The problem started in July when the Department was forced to lay off a third of its staffers due to reduced federal funding.  

Twenty-two staffers were subsequently rehired. The latest influx of staff will bring the total of recalled staffers to 33.  However, these 33 positions are considered temporary. They’re funded through September 2013 only.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org