The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) reports an increase in initial and continued unemployment claims, with the initial claims’ four-week moving average declining and the continued claims’ four-week moving average increasing. The agency also encourages claimants to register and attend its virtual career fair.

“Although we are continuing to see an increase in initial and continued claims, we are also seeing a pattern where the advance claims numbers surge each week only to be revised downward the next week,” said Shelley Zumwalt, OESC Executive Director. “It was announced earlier this week that the state will be ending federal unemployment benefits and providing a $1,200 return-to-work incentive for Oklahomans who find employment. At present, Oklahoma has 37% more job openings than before the pandemic and the most employment opportunities since data on job openings started being collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2001. Additionally, Oklahoma has more than 200,000 workforce-eligible individuals that are not currently participating in the workforce. OESC is hopeful that the governor’s $1,200 incentive, along with the employment resources the agency provides, will help Oklahoma in its economic recovery.”