In an effort to increase compliance with new hire reporting a team was formed from a partnership between the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management (OU CPM) (Link opens in new window) and the OKDHS Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED). The team consists of OU CPM staff, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) (Link opens in new window) staff and members of the CSE State Office centers. The group is entitled the Oklahoma Employer Assistance Team.

The mission of the Oklahoma Employer Assistance Team is to become partners with employers and to improve employers' knowledge of the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program. It is estimated over 60+ percent of Oklahoma employers fail to report their newly hired employees as required by federal and state law. Child Support’s goal in educating and assisting employers in reporting New Hires is to increase collections by increasing compliance with Oklahoma new hire laws.

OKDHS Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) uses new hire information to locate individuals who may owe child support and to expedite payments through income assignments. OESC uses new hire information to stop fraudulent unemployment claims. As employer reporting compliance increases, the costs of operating these tax dollar supported initiatives should decrease. Additionally, unemployment insurance rates paid by employers should decrease due to the thwarting of fraudulent claims.

Currently no financial fine or penalty is imposed on an employer who fails to report its New Hire's.  The Oklahoma Employer Assistance Team is developing a campaign to increase new hire reporting through positive outreach and promotion. The initial outreach campaign targets Oklahoma's largest employers and later expands to include employers with less employees. Part of the campaign consists of an employer hot-line to assist employers with questions regarding new hire compliance procedures and the creation of an Employer Advisory Council.

For assistance with New Hire reporting please contact the Oklahoma Employer Help Desk toll free 1-866-553-2368 or email Employer Assistance.