Many employers wish to avoid layoffs during this unprecedented
economic climate. An option for employers is to work with their
employees to create alternative employment arrangements.
Work-Sharing is one program available to employers and employees
that can accommodate a temporary reduction in business activity due
to events beyond the control of the employer, such as COVID-19.
Work-Sharing involves a three-party agreement between the
employer, employees and Service Canada. This optional arrangement
requires employees to agree to a reduced schedule of work and to
share the available work over a specified period of time. If this
arrangement is agreed to, employees receive Employment Insurance
benefits ("EI benefits") as a top up to
their income earned from their reduced hours.
