Puerto Rico Employers Must Provide Information on Unemployment Benefits Program to Laid Off Workers

Employers in Puerto Rico must provide a model notice to employees in the event of a layoff or reduction in working hours. The Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources, Briseida Torres-Reyes, issued Circular Letter 2020-02 (only in Spanish) on April 16, 2020.

The notice can be provided by mail, email, or text message. For employees already laid off or already notified of a reduction in hours, the notice should be sent by mail, email, or text message.

The specific language of the model notice is in Section IV of Circular Letter 2020-02 and requires providing the following:

• The statute that establishes unemployment benefits;
• A statement that a claimant may request benefits during the first week in which the claimant ceased to work or had reduced hours;
• The website and call center number to file a claim or obtain more information about filing a claim for unemployment benefits;
• Information needed to file a claim; and
• The website, email, and telephone number for questions regarding unemployment benefits.

Please contact a Jackson Lewis attorney with any questions about compliance with Circular Letter 2020-02 or other legal requirements.