Missourians who have been placed on a temporary layoff related to COVID-19 but refuse to return to work when recalled by their employer will lose regular unemployment benefits.
Employees in any of these positions are strongly encouraged to work with their employer in the best way to handle the situation to return to work including any availability for working remotely.
General fear of COVID-19 will not support continuation of regular unemployment benefits. If an employer provides the employee with suitable work, and the employee chooses not to return to work, then unemployment benefits will cease. The DES has developed a portal for employers to submit information about employees who refuse to return to work or quit their jobs. Employers may login to UInteract at uinteract.labor.mo.gov, click on “Benefits” and then on “Work Offer Refusal Detail.” Instructions can be found on a Help button on the Work Offer Refusal Detail Screen. Click here for instructions to find the detail screen and template. Employers may complete the Work Offer Refusal Detail Screen or upload a completed Excel template provided on the site. Alternatively, employers have the option to provide employee work refusal information without having to login to UInteract by clicking here. Employers should report quits or work refusals as soon as possible.