Maine Department of Labor awarded $382K grant to promote, enhance WorkShare Program Bookmark and Share

April 20, 2021

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2021

Maine Department of Labor awarded $382K grant to promote, enhance WorkShare Program

The Workshare Program helps employers avoid layoffs and keep workers employed.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Labor has been awarded a $382,579 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to promote and enhance its Short-Time Compensation program, known as Workshare is an unemployment program designed to help employers avoid layoffs by allowing groups of workers to receive partial unemployment benefit payments while their employer reduces their hours.

"This grant will help the Department provide outreach to employers about Maine's WorkShare program and also provides funds to implement enhancements to the program that both employees and employers have requested," Commissioner Laura Fortman said. WorkShare can be used both to prevent layoffs and to recall workers who had been temporarily laid off from the business. This program has significant benefits for both employees and employers and is one tool to help support efforts to jump-start Maines economy.

The Maine Department of Labor will use the grant funds to raise awareness of the WorkShare program and its benefits, increase participation, and streamline reporting by participating employers and workers to MDOLs Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.

The grant, funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020, is part of up to $100 million in funding available to states for the implementation or improved administration of a Short-Time Compensation program. In addition, states may use funds to promote the program and enroll employers.

More information about Maines WorkShare program can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/workshare/

The U.S. Department of Labors press release can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20210416