State of Oregon: Work Share

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 Share 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.pdf

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

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

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

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.

Need Help?

Get in Touch.

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.

Contact Us Form 

Phone: (503)-947-1800

Toll Free: (800)-436-6191

Address:

Oregon Employment Department

PO Box 14518

Salem, OR 97309

Work Share

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