The unprecedented economic conditions brought about by the
COVID-19 pandemic have forced many Wisconsin employers to implement
layoffs, partial furloughs, pay reductions and other painful
employment actions. With uncertainty surrounding the eventual
reopening of businesses, other Wisconsin employers are starting to
consider the same possibilities. Wisconsin very recently took
dramatic legislative action via 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 to help workers and
employers during this trying time.
The scope of these changes is perhaps most evident in the
revisions to Wisconsin's rarely used Work-Share program, which
took effect on April 17, 2020. In light of these changes, any
Wisconsin employer contemplating layoffs, partial furloughs or pay
reductions should give serious consideration to the Work-Share
program. Some of the most attractive changes to the program,
however, are only available through July of 2020 or are otherwise
time-limited, so Wisconsin employers should invest
