What Is the Work-Sharing Program?

The Canadian government introduced the WS program during the Covid-19 pandemic. This program was for one year, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been extended from 38 weeks-76 weeks. Work sharing program assists to avoid layoffs when there is a temporary lockdown in a company which gets difficult to control by the employer. 

How Does This Work?

It is a three-way agreement between employer, employees, and service Canada. This program provides income support to the eligible employees for employment insurance benefits and who agree to reduce their work hours from a minimum of 10% (one half-day) to a maximum of 60% (3 days). 

6 Ways Of Being An Eligible Employer:

You are an eligible employer if:

• You have been working for at least a year.
• You have two or more employees that are either full or part-time and are permanent working for you for at least a year, more like a 'cornerstone' of your company.
• Your employees are eligible to receive employment insurance benefits and willing to reduce their working hours.
• You are facing downtown in your business due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• You have lost almost 10% of your business.
• You agree to provide endless benefits to your employees, for example, health insurance, pension, vacation, group disability, but benefits should be based on earnings and reduced hours of work.

3 Conditions Of Being An Eligible Employee:

Following are the conditions for the employees to get eligible for the WS program:

• Employees have been a cornerstone of their company and have been there for almost a year.
• Only those employees are eligible, who are eligible for Employment Insurance benefits.
• Employees who agree to reduce their working hours between 10%-60% share available work.

5 Steps To Apply For The WS Program:

• The application must be submitted at least 30 days before the intended start date.
• The employer and his employees must agree to apply for this program with mutual agreement.
• The employer must provide all the information attachments and signatures as requirements of the application form.
• A list of all the employees participating in this program should also be provided with the application form.
• Once the application is approved, the agreement must be signed within 60 days of the approval date.

Wrapping it up!

Companies are facing a lot of crises due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It's a good initiative the Canadian government took to save the companies from their downfall. But there are conditions to apply for this program and get selected for this benefit program, and for that, Yogi & Associates are here to help you out in understanding the program. We will provide proper guidelines about making your company eligible and ensure that your company gets approved for availing work-sharing program by the Canadian government.