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ST. LOUIS and SALT LAKE CITY, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- TALX, provider of Equifax Workforce Solutions and a leader in human resource, payroll and tax-related services, and the State of Utah today announced that they will leverage the Unemployment Insurance (UI) State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) to provide Utah employers that use TALX for unemployment cost management with a standardized, more efficient process for responding to unemployment claims requests.

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A Web-based system that allows electronic transmission of UI information requests between state agencies, employers and third-party administrators, the SIDES project was initiated with the U.S. Department of Labor and the state UI agencies to address the second largest cause of UI overpayments – inaccuracies and delays with separation information. In a collaborative effort, state and federal agencies have worked with various third-party administrators and employers to develop a standard format for exchanging separation information. Utah is the first state to implement the SIDES system with TALX.

"We're very excited to roll out this initiative with the State of Utah," said Joyce Dear, Senior Vice President of Employer Services Operations for TALX. "As a pioneering SIDES program state, Utah is continuing a tradition of innovation and efficiency and taking measures to ensure that unemployment claims are accurately processed and adjudicated. By implementing this system, the State of Utah and TALX together provide employers with an option that will streamline the filing process and help eliminate unemployment overpayments."

Using SIDES' standardized electronic format, states, employers, and third-party administrators can securely exchange quality information more quickly than the previously used costly paper- and mail-based method. As a result, employers have more time to accurately prepare and submit employee separation information, and states are able to process and adjudicate cases immediately.  Standardization among states helps TALX clients anticipate that information which is required for unemployment claims, allowing employers to develop better controls over their own internal processes based on those requirements.  The paperless process reduces administration, handling and postage costs for both state and employer.

"TALX has been instrumental in developing and implementing the SIDES program in Utah," commented Bill Starks, Utah Unemployment Insurance Director. "Having helped thousands of clients better manage their unemployment costs, their experience and industry knowledge are an invaluable element of this partnership. We're confident employers in Utah will experience process, adjudication and cost-saving improvements with this new system."

SIDES is currently live and available to TALX clients in Utah, and may soon be offered to those in Colorado, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin, with additional states joining the program throughout 2011 and 2012. More information on TALX Unemployment Cost Management services can be accessed at http://www.talx.com/Solutions/Compliance/UnemploymentTax/.

About the State of Utah Department of Workforce Services

The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) administers the Unemployment Insurance Program in Utah through the U.S. Department of Labor as well as Labor Market Information for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The department also administers employment and training programs through the U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Investment Act, and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services.

DWS is recognized as a national leader in providing employment and training services in a one-stop environment.

About TALX

TALX, provider of Equifax Workforce Solutions, a leader in human resource, tax and payroll-related services, is based in St. Louis. TALX holds a leadership position in automated employment and income verification as well as unemployment cost management. TALX provides over 9,000 clients, including three-fourths of Fortune 500 companies, with Web-based services focused in three employment-related areas: hiring, pay reporting and compliance. Hiring services include assessments and talent acquisition, onboarding, and tax credits and incentives. Pay reporting services include, paperless pay and W-2 management. Compliance services include employment and income verifications through The Work Number, unemployment cost management and I-9 management. Equifax is a global leader in information solutions, empowering businesses and consumers with information they can trust. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX. For more information about TALX, visit www.talx.com, or www.equifax.com.

SOURCE Equifax