Governor John Engler today signed Executive Order 2002-1 creating the Bureau of Worker's and Unemployment Compensation within the Department of Consumer and Industry Services (CIS).

The executive order combines the Unemployment Agency and the Bureau of Workers Compensation (also known as the Bureau of Worker's Disability Compensation) in the new agency. Also moved into this agency is the Wage and Hour Division (part of CIS). The executive order combines functions with a similar purpose into a single agency. Worker's compensation and unemployment assistance benefits exist to replace wages lost by workers. The Wage and Hour Division collects wages and fringe benefits owed to workers.

"Merging these functions into a single agency will help facilitate data sharing, and Michigan workers will benefit by having a single place to go for answers to compensation questions," said Governor Engler.

Given the recent announcement of the 2002 early retirement program, this consolidation is one example of how the state will look to provide quality services more efficiently.