April 2, 2010

Preliminary findings from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training estimate that 4,000 Rhode Island workers may have been temporarily dislocated from their jobs due to March flooding. The department adds that it does not expect these temporary dislocations to impact the state’s March unemployment rate. Dislocations that continue through mid-April, however, may impact the April unemployment rate.

The department has received more than 250 flood-related unemployment claims relating to the mid-March flooding, and more than 400 claims to date related to this week’s flooding.

Information about unemployment insurance as it related to the recent flooding can be found online at www.dlt.ri.gov.

The RI Department of Labor and Training offers employment services, educational services and economic opportunity to both individuals and employers. DLT protects Rhode Island’s workforce by enforcing labor laws, prevailing wage rates and workplace health and safety standards. The department also provides temporary income support to unemployed and temporarily disabled workers. For more information on the programs and services available to all Rhode Islanders, please call the RI Department of Labor and Training at (401) 462-8000 or visit the web site at www.dlt.ri.gov. 

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