Oregon’s Work Share program offers layoff alternative for employers
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon employers have an alternative to traditional layoffs through the Work Share program administered by the Oregon Employment Department. This initiative helps businesses reduce short-term costs and retain skilled employees by allowing them to reduce staff hours. Employees participating in Work Share receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits to offset their reduced wages.
The Work Share program provides a strategy for employers to navigate economic downturns without resorting to downsizing. Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon Employment Department Director, emphasized the program's flexibility and impact. “Work Share gives employers of all sizes the opportunity to strategize, not downsize,” Stolfi said. “When times are tough, it offers more options to reduce staffing costs and that flexibility is a critical tool in any industry. Work Share keeps valuable teams together and helps businesses ramp back up quickly when conditions improve.”
The program offers significant protections for employees, allowing them to keep their benefits intact even if their work hours fall below full-time. Unlike traditional Unemployment Insurance, Work Share does not require claimants to search for new jobs while receiving benefits. However, participants must remain fully able and available to work for their employer each week.
Currently, more than 500 employers are enrolled in the Work Share program. To be eligible, employers must have at least three employees who are paid Oregon wages, though seasonal and temporary workers are not permitted to participate. There are no program fees and employers are not obligated to use the program after signing up.
The program has proven beneficial for businesses like Oregon Weight Loss Surgery, a Portland-based specialty surgical practice. Chelsea Brown of Oregon Weight Loss Surgery noted its impact. “Being a specialty surgical practice, we have many ups and downs and Work Share has helped us avoid multiple layoffs,” Brown said. “Most of our staff have been here for 10 years or more, so they're critical to our business. Work Share has helped us keep all of them.”
Unemployment Insurance Division Director Lindsi Leahy recommends that employers apply proactively. “We recommend applying proactively so employers have a plan in place if they need it,” Leahy said. “When business is slow, being able to access the program's benefits quickly can bring some peace of mind. We want all Oregon employers to know that Work Share is here to provide a viable alternative to layoffs.”
The Oregon Employment Department hosts a weekly Work Share informational webinar for employers every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Employers can also call 503-947-1800 to ask questions or schedule a consultation. After signing up, both employers and claimants can attend weekly webinars for guidance on navigating the program. Additional information is available on the Work Share website.
Oregon's Unemployment Insurance Program, funded by employer payroll taxes, supports individuals and communities during economic uncertainty. It provides temporary, partial wage replacement for those unemployed through no fault of their own, offering financial security while they seek new work. Benefit payments also help soften the local economic impact of layoffs and aid in retaining skilled workers in their communities.
Employers interested in the program can attend the weekly informational webinar held on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Alternatively, they can contact the Oregon Employment Department by calling 503-947-1800 to ask questions or schedule a consultation.
