Half and Half Employment in Connecticut

Connecticut’s Shared Work program provides employers an alternative to layoffs.

By Benjamin P. Michaelson

Have you ever needed to lay off employees but regretted having to do so, or feared if you would be able to get that skilled labor back when needed? For Connecticut employers struggling to find the right mix of full time employees and layoffs during slow times, but knowing greener pastures are ahead, there are options. The Connecticut Department of Labor offers what is called a Shared Work program.

“Shared Work is a voluntary program that helps employers during business downturns by providing an alternative to layoffs. The Shared Work program preserves employee jobs and an employer’s skilled workforce during a disruption in regular business by allowing the employer to reduce work hours for an entire group of affected employees rather than laying off some while others continue to work full time. The program, which provides a weekly unemployment compensation payment to the employees whose work weeks have been reduced, cushions the adverse effect of the reduction in business activity on employees. It also ensures that these workers will be available for regular hours when business upturns.”(https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/bussrvce/shared_work/ last accessed, July 13, 2016)

Practically speaking, that means that, instead of laying off some employees, you can reduce the hours of more employees, keeping them all connected to your business for their benefit and your long term needs. To compensate them for that reduction in hours, they can receive a partial unemployment compensation.  This benefits the employer by eliminating the risk and cost of on-boarding new employees later, when business picks up. This benefits the employee who will still have a position with the business instead of needing to find other work, and result in higher income than full termination unemployment benefits.