Work Share provides an alternative for employers and workers who may be facing the
prospect of a lay off situation. With Work Share, instead of reducing staff, an employer
reduces the hours of work for a group of workers. Partial Unemployment
Insurance benefits are then paid to supplement workers' reduced wages.
How Does It Work?
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.