Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Are 'Wages,' Court Rules

Unemployment benefits are not "wages" for purposes of calculating workers' compensation benefits, a Kentucky appellate court ruled, but if an employee receives supplemental unemployment pay from his employer pursuant to a collective-bargaining agreement, such pay can be included in his average weekly wage. Case: Jewell v. Ford Motor Co., No. 2013-CA-000850, 04/11/2014, published. Facts: Joseph Jewell worked for the Ford Motor Co. It was customary for Ford to temporarily lay off workers during periods of low demand. During such periods, Ford would apply for unemployment benef...