In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal
Government of Canada has announced several measures and programs to
assist employers and employees during this unforeseen economic
downturn.
Of particular interest to many employers may be the special
measures taken by the Government to make the Work-Sharing program
(the "WS Program") more accessible.
Federal Work-Sharing Program
The WS Program is designed to help employers and employees avoid
layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of
business activity that is outside of the control of the employer.
The program is available to both federally and provincially
regulated employers. The WS Program provides income support to
employees eligible for Employment Insurance
("EI") benefits who work a temporarily
reduced work week while their employer recovers. The WS Program
creates a three-party agreement with the employer, the employees,
and Service Canada (the "WS
Agreement").
