LANSING (WXYZ) — Some Michigan businesses began reopening Tuesday and in response, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expanding the state's work share program to help employers transition workers back from unemployment.
“As we begin the safe reengagement of our economy, our job providers can use Work Share to save money and help more people return to work faster,” Whitmer said. “The program can give business owners the resources needed to retain or bring back employees as their customer and business capacity ramps back up. As we continue to phase in sectors of our economy, we must continue to do our part on behalf of the heroes on the front lines of this crisis, including our medical workers, first responders, and other essential workers who are putting their lives on the lines for us every day. We will get through this together.”
The program works by allowing employers to bring their employees back with reduced hours, while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for lost wages, the state said in a release.
The program also helps employers retain their skilled workforce while avoiding layoffs when revenues decline.
“Work Share offers employers solutions to fit their specific business needs by allowing multiple plans with different reduction levels and the ability to choose how many of their workers will participate,” Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio said. “The program is great for workers too. For the next two months, the federal government provides an extra $600 to employees on workshare providing wage replacement and incentives to return to work from unemployment. The federally funded program also helps workers by preserving the State’s Unemployment Trust Fund to keep their safety net solvent.”
For more information on the state's work share program, click here.
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