Unemployment office lays off 72 employees

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20111231-NEWS-112310316

Agency losing federal funding as N.H. labor market recovers

By Karen Dandurant

[e-mail]

December 31, 2011 2:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH — The unemployment rate in New Hampshire is down 5.2 percent, one of the lowest rates in the country. That's good news unless you happen to work at the unemployment office.

Tara Reardon, commissioner of New Hampshire's Department of Employment Security confirmed Friday that the federally funded agency is laying off workers.

"We are undergoing a reduction in force," Reardon said. "During times of unemployment, we hire people; that's when we need staff. So we are dependent on what the economy does in the state for what we get in federal funds. I'd love to keep everyone we have, but I could not give them a paycheck."

Reardon said that 53 full- time employees and 19 part-time workers across the state are losing their jobs.

[liberal N proud]

1. Can't decide if this is good news or bad

The unemployment rate drops so the unemployment workers lose their jobs.