Oklahoma leaders prepare for layoffs amid cuts to federal jobs

Hundreds of Oklahoma federal face potential job loss due to budget cuts. The governor said Oklahoma is ready to help. News 9 asked state leaders how that will work. 

Oklahoma agencies are preparing for potential mass layoffs 

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission works to connect people with employers. OESC Vice President Christopher O’Brien said they are ready for anyone who needs their help.

“These things can be very scary and for obvious reasons,” O’Brien said. “Studies have shown that next to losing a loved one in life, losing a career is a close second.” 

Federal job cuts hit NOAA, meteorologists, and weather researchers 

Federal job cuts have forced thousands of government workers to start over. CBS News reported 880 employees lost their jobs with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the National Weather Service. Unconfirmed reports brought concern that hundreds of jobs could be lost at Tinker Air Force Base. 

RELATED: Hundreds of NOAA employees laid off in latest cuts to federal workforce

Regarding the concerns at Tinker, Oklahoma Republican Congressman Tom Cole said in part, “I will always fight for Tinker Air Force Base and the critical role the base and its civilian employees play to safeguard our nation.” 

At Wednesday’s routine news conference, Gov. Kevin Stitt didn’t seem worried. 

“I think they’re gonna be fine,” Stitt said. “That’s part of life. We’re gonna do everything we can to get them integrated; to find new jobs.” 

Stitt’s spokesperson said in a statement, “We're in close contact with our federal delegation and federal partners, but at this point, we've yet to see layoffs take shape in Oklahoma. That said, Governor Stitt has always been a strong advocate for cutting waste and ensuring tax dollars are spent wisely.  

“Oklahoma is becoming the most business-friendly state in the nation, and our workforce development efforts have led to an incredible network of support services, training programs, career fairs, and other resources to take advantage of. Governor Stitt wants every Oklahoman to have the opportunity to succeed in their career.” 

How OESC helps people who lose their jobs 

O’Brien said he understands the nerves of people who have experienced a job loss or uncertainty in their careers. 

“I’ve gone through that and that’s why I'm very passionate about what we do here at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission,” O’Brien said. 

O’Brien’s agency helps connect people with unemployment benefits while they look for another job. People who become unemployed and are not at fault can qualify for unemployment benefits. However, Oklahoma benefit payments are capped at $541 a week and are calculated based on wage earnings. 

How to qualify for unemployment benefits 

Here are the Oklahoma unemployment eligibility requirements according to OESC’s website. 

1. Are unemployed through no fault of their own. 
2. Are able and available to seek and accept work. 
3. Earned a minimum of $1,500 from a covered employer during their base period. 
4. Meet the "1 and 1/2 rule," which states that the total wages of the base period must be at least one and a half times the amount of wages earned during the highest quarter of an individual's base period. More information on this rule can be found in Oklahoma Statute Title 40 Section 2-207. 

For Example, if an individual earns $24,000 during Q3, the total wages for their base period would need to be at least $36,000 to meet the "1 and 1/2 rule". 

Unemployment benefits are temporary relief  

“Those benefits are here, but the most important thing is getting you back to work,” O’Brien said. 

O’Brien said the state is prepared to help people find work if they need it. 

“We make sure our teams are in place to make sure we can meet people where they are,” O’Brien said. “We wanna get folks back to work. That’s the most important thing.”