SharedWork is a voluntary business sustainability program that provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. Employers must apply for the program and businesses and employees participating in the program must meet specific eligibility requirements. Below is information from the ESD website on the SharedWork program. You can link to the website here for further details: https://www.esd.wa.gov/SharedWork. This link is included in our COVID-19 Employer Resource Page.
Eligibility requirements at a glance.
Businesses must:
- Be legally registered in Washington for at least six months prior to applying for the program.
- Be current on unemployment taxes or a payment contract.
- Have a tax rate less than 5.4 percent.
- Enroll a minimum of two permanent employees in the SharedWork plan.
- Comply with IRS, state, county and municipal laws, rules and ordinances.
Employees participating in SharedWork must:
- Be hired permanently and paid hourly.
- Be eligible for regular unemployment benefits, apply for benefits and submit weekly claims.
- Be able to work all hours and be available for all work hours offered by the SharedWork employer.
Length of plan
An employer’s SharedWork plan can last up to one year. Employers may reapply at the end of the plan period.
Administration
- A designated representative of your business will work directly with SharedWork Program specialists on all matters about your plan and your participating employees' unemployment claims.
- Employer representatives will follow all program requirements, including:
- Providing reports and information within 10 days of request. (We can revoke your plan or you could face penalties if you don't respond on time.)
- Reporting business changes.
- Maintaining contact with SharedWork specialists throughout the plan period.
Apply for the SharedWork Program
The SharedWork application is easy and takes only about 10 minutes to complete, depending on the number of employees you want on your plan. Apply online, by electronic upload or fax.
Before you apply
You will need this information to complete the application:
- ESD number
- Business name, including the “doing business as” name, if applicable
- Mailing address, including county and any other operating locations
- The name and contact information of one or more employees to manage your plan as the representative. Your representative will coordinate with SharedWork staff and with your participating employees.
- Total number of participating employees
- List of employees, identified with:
- Legal first and last name
- Social Security number
- Hire date
- Hourly rate of pay
- Weekly work hours
- Total estimate of jobs saved by using SharedWork
- Company’s union affiliation and representative’s signature, when applicable
- Final signature. In order to complete the application, an authorized person (owner, general manager, chief financial officer, human resources manager, etc.) of your company must certify and sign.
You can link to the website here for further details: https://www.esd.wa.gov/SharedWork.