Next week, statewide staff cuts by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) will land some of its employees on the other side of the counter — or online — filing claims for unemployment benefits.

Citing insufficient federal funding for operations, the VEC said layoffs are unavoidable. The state agency is eliminating 157 positions. The last work day for most affected employees will be March 14.

The Roanoke branch is losing 11 of 34 employees, and Martinsville is losing half of its staff.

Read (Roanoke Times)