What is Work Share?
The Work Share program helps Oregon businesses avoid layoffs and keep talent during a temporary decline in business. Instead of laying off workers, employers reduce some employees’ hours and then use unemployment insurance benefits to supplement a portion of the wages these employees lose as a result of their hours being cut.
Work Share allows employers to:
- Keep their trained, skilled workers.
- Avoid hiring and training workers later.
- Maintain employee morale.
Work Share benefits help employees:
- With improved job security.
- Maintain their skills and qualifications.
- Maintain health care and retirement benefits.
- Partially replace lost income from reduced hours.
Hundreds of employers use Work Share in Oregon to avoid layoffs
As an employee, you cannot apply for Work Share. Only employers can apply to participate in the program. Employers are eligible for Work Share if they have three or more employees and those employees are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.
Once approved for Work Share, during workload reductions, participating employees will have their hours reduced by at least 10% but not more than 50%, but must be able and available to work. The employees will be responsible for completing weekly claims during these periods. The employees covered by the Work Share plan cannot be seasonal workers.
Work Share plans last up to one year. The Employment Department will review eligibility if an employee is no longer available to work for that employer.
Questions?
For more information about the Work Share program, call 503-947-1800 or visit the Work Share page on the Oregon Employment Department website.
Work Share