Wisconsin Program Designed to Help Small Companies Retain Workers Takes Off During Coronavirus Pandemic
Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 -- 8:33 AM
(AP) -A program in Wisconsin designed to help small companies retain workers during slow business periods has taken off after changes were made in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic to allow more employees to qualify.Since mid-March, more than 14,000 workers have signed up to receive partial unemployment benefits funded by the federal government under the Work-Share program, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reported on Tuesday. There had been just shy of 900 participants from 2016 until mid-March. There are now 342 Work-Share plans in place compared with 20 before. Work-Share allows employers to retain workers during slow business periods by reducing their hours and allowing them to file for partial unemployment benefits to make up the difference.
The workers are able to retain employer-provided benefits. It is open to full, part-time, salaries and exempt employees. In its coronavirus relief bill signed by Gov. Tony Evers, the Wisconsin Legislature changed the program to make it easier for more people to qualify.
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