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Work Share

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Helping employers strategize, not downsize​​

Work Share Oregon was set up in1983 to help businesses avoid layoffs, retain skilled workers during a temporary decline in business, and provide consistent employment to employees by replacing the reduction in their wages using unemployment benefits.  ​


• Three or more employees to participate

• Labor hours and wages​ are reduced 10-50%

• Employees must b​e fully​ available and able to work​

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Work Share Overview & Legal
What is the Work Share Program?
Work Share (STC-Short Time Compensation) is a program that offers an alternative to laying off your work force.  It allows you to keep skilled employees during slow times by reducing work hours. Eligible staff whose hours and wages are reduced, receive a portion of their regular unemployment insurance benefits to compensate for the lost wages. 

Laws Related to Work Share 

657.370 - Definitions for ORS 657.370 to 657.390

 

657.375 - Plan applications; approval by director

 

657.380 - Eligibility of employees; benefit limitation

 

657.385 - Method of paying benefits; amount; disqualification; applicability of law to   

shared work plans; rules

 

657.390 - Reimbursement to Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund of share work benefits paid; use of benefit charges

 

For additional law information go to: Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS)

For more specific information related to Work ​S​hare click on this link:​

Work Share ORS. 


Permanent Rulemaking for Shared Work & Benefits
The Oregon Employment Department adopted a new Administrative Rule for the Work Share program, effective August 1, 2016. We received requests from employers, employee participants, and interested parties to provide formalized guidance on program requirements. This Proposed Rule provided that formalized guidance and clearly communicated program requirements to help the agency more effectively and efficiently administer the Work Share program to the public. 

The adoption of this new rule defines the following: 
1) The time frame for when shared work plans can become effective;
2) Authority for employees to use hours from other paid time to meet minimum thresholds to receive shared work benefits (when not missing an opportunity for work);
3) Availability for work requirements during weeks when employees are not eiligible for shared work benefits; and
4) Timeliness requirements for employees receiving shared work benefits to file continued claims.

Below you will find a copy of permanent language of Oregon Administrative Rule 471-030-0079.

471-030-0079 Rule Text.pdf471-030-0079 Rule Text.pdf
 

The full Administrative Rule and supporting documentation can be found at: Oregon Administrative Rules.​

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Why Work Share?
​​Employer Benefits
  • Offers staffing options when times are tough
  • Provides a way to keep valued employees during slow times
  • Helps you avoid expensive re-training 
  • Rewards staff loyalty
  • Keeps your quality and efficiency high, even when times are slow
  • Enables you to be better prepared to ramp up when the market does
  • Provides confidential and discreet support for your business and your employees
Employee Benefits
  • ​Helps avoid hardships usually associated with layoffs
  • Unemployment insurance benefits reduce the impact of lost wages
  • No job-hunting requirements as with traditional unemployment insurance claims
  • Benefits stay intact, despite not being employed full-time
  • Reduction in hours, while they need to be available to work for their employer at all times, gives schedule flexibility
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Work Share Eligibility

Employers:

  • With 3 or more employees

  • Employees eligible for UI benefits

  • WS plan lasts no more than 1 year

  • If employee isn't available to employer…
    eligibility will be reviewed

    → This may result in a delay
          or denial of payment

Employees:

  • Hours reduced at least 20% and not more than 40%​

  • Fully available for work

  • Worked continuously for 6 months full-time, or 1 year part-time basis

  • Not a seasonal worker​​​​

Work Share Enrollment

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  • Your employer must apply for the program by sending in a written plan to the Oregon Employment Department. Employees can not apply for Work Share. 
  • The employer must select three or more employees with reduced work hours to participate in a Work Share program. Your employer must state that your work hours and wages will be cut by at least 20%, but no more than 40% per week, and that your normal work week is 40 hours or less.  
  • To qualify, each employee must have worked full-time for six months, or part-time for 12 months just before the employer’s Work Share plan was submitted. Weekly claims are submitted by the employer.
 
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Program Specialists are here for you five days a week, 8 AM - 5 PM,
​Monday through Friday for confidential support.


Use the Contact us Form below to submit your program application, a requested document, or to contact us with questions about your plan or your claim as an employee. 

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Phone: (503)-947-1800 - option 4
Toll Free: (800)-436-6191

Address:
Oregon Employment Department
PO Box 14518
Salem, OR 97309
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