WorkShare is an unemployment option that helps businesses retain their workforce during a temporary slowdown in work. The program allows employers to voluntarily reduce the hours of staff in lieu of layoffs. Employees of the business are allowed to collect a partial unemployment benefit to help them offset the loss of income.
The WorkShare program helps businesses keep trained workers during a temporary downturn, and it helps workers stay connected to jobs and maintain their skills.
In lieu of a layoff, employers can temporarily reduce their work hours in a particular unit, shift or company from 10% to 50%. To help offset the loss of hours, the affected workers can receive a modified weekly unemployment benefit.
The reduction must be temporary and not related to a seasonal, or intermittent down turn.
The employees hours had to have been reduced by at least 10% but not more that 50%.
Have otherwise resulted in the layoff of at least 10% of the workers in the affected unit for 2-6 months.
Affect a unit of the business that normally works on a full-time basis.
The employee has to be included in an affected unit of the business.
The employee would have had to earned enough wages in the last 18 months to meet the regular qualifications for unemployment benefits.
The employee would have had to have been able and available to work their normally scheduled hours for their employer.
Benefits are paid on a percentage equal to the hours reduction. Someone who has lost 25% of their hours would receive 25% of their normal weekly unemployment benefit.
Applications for Workshare must be filed by the employer. Employers should call (207) 623-6783 for more information.
