Event Details

“Unemployment Insurance Appeals for Iowa Employers”

Presented by: Emily Chafa

Unemployment Appeals Bureau Manager

During this presentation MVHRA members will learn about the procedures for UI Appeals Bureau ALJ hearings, including prehearing processes, the hearing notice, expectations before and during the hearing with an ALJ, and appeals before the Employment Appeal Board and beyond.  Participants will be provided with tips and general expectations for those who appear pro se in unemployment insurance administrative appeal hearings and discuss how the Code of Administrative Judicial Conduct applies to these proceedings. Participants will receive handouts and web site links relevant to UI law and procedure will also be available.  At the close of the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to their questions answered by UI Appeals Bureau Manager, Emily Chafa.   

The learning objectives of Emily’s presentation include:

• Attendees will learn what to expect and how to prepare for a UI appeal hearing.
• Attendees will understand the difference between a fact-finding interview and an appeal hearing.
• Attendees will learn how to find information relevant to their involvement in the UI claim process. 

Speaker’s Background & Experience

Emily Chafa currently manages the Iowa Workforce Development UI Appeals Bureau. She previously worked as an ALJ (Administrative Law Judge) with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) conducting hearings and issuing decisions in unemployment appeals, from April 10, 2015 until she began her current duties on July 3, 2015.  For several years, Emily was an ALJ with the Administrative Hearings Division (AHD) of the State of Iowa’s Dept. of Inspections and Appeals (DIA), hearing a variety of appeals from IDOT, DHS and IWD. She previously worked as the attorney for the Misclassification Unit of Iowa Workforce Development, as Deputy Director of Litigation for Iowa Legal Aid, as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Des Moines, as a prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and as an associate attorney at the Hinshaw & Culbertson law firm in Chicago, Illinois.

Emily attended Wartburg College and received her B.A. degree from Drake University. She received her J.D. degree from Loyola School of Law in Chicago. She is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Illinois. Emily is active in numerous professional and community organizations.

HRCI Approved for 1 (General) PHR/SPHR Recertification Credit Hour

SHRM Approved for 1 SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP Professional Development Credit