ARTICLE · 24 APRIL 2020

Work-Sharing Temporary Special Measures

MacDonald & Associates

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Work-Sharing ("WS") is an adjustment program for employers to avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in business that is beyond the employer's control

CanadaEmployment and HR

Mackenzie Irwin

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Work-Sharing ("WS") is an adjustment program for employers to avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in business that is beyond the employer's control, by providing income support to eligible employees for Employment Insurance ("EI") benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week.

Amidst COVID-19 the Federal government has temporarily extended the maximum duration of WS agreements from 38 weeks to 76 weeks, and has waived the mandatory waiting period so that employers with a recently expired agreement may immediately apply for a new agreement, without waiting between applications and ease Recovery Plan requirements for the duration of the WS agreement.

Temporary special measures are effective March 15, 2020 to March 14, 2021.

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