Signed by Governor Scott Walker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes employers to establish work-share programs, effective June 30, 2013.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an employer to establish a “work-share program” (Sec. 11).

• Defines “work-share program” as a program approved by the Department of Workforce Development under which the hours of work of employees are reduced instead of layoffs of 2 or more employees in a work unit (Sec. 11).

• Requires employees employed under the work-share program to conduct a “reasonable” search for suitable work (Sec. 5).

• Requires a business to submit a plan for the work-share program to the Department of Workforce Development, including, but not limited to, the following information (Sec. 11):
• Includes at least 10 percent of the employees in the affected area of work;
• Includes at least 20 positions that are filled at the time the plan is submitted;
• Includes a plan for giving notice to employees of changes in the work schedule; 
• Includes a statement stating that the work-share program is in compliance with state and federal law;
• Specifies the date the plan will be in effect, which is not to exceed 6 months in a 5-year period; and
• Specifies the hours per week included in the plan to be at least 10 percent, and at most 50 percent of the employees' normal hours.

• Exempts seasonal, temporary, or intermittent employees from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 11).

• Authorizes an employee to receive wages from a separate employer than with whom the work-share program was established (Sec. 11).

• Authorizes the employer or the employee to terminate the employment during the effective period of the work-study program (Sec. 11). 

• Requires the Department of Workforce Development to attempt to qualify the State for full federal participation in the cost of administration of this bill and in the financing of benefits to employees participating in work-share programs (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes employers to establish work-share programs, effective June 30, 2013.

Highlights:

• Authorizes an employer to establish a “work-share program” (Sec. 11).

• Defines “work-share program” as a program approved by the Department of Workforce Development under which the hours of work of employees are reduced instead of layoffs of 2 or more employees in a work unit (Sec. 11).

• Requires employees employed under the work-share program to conduct a “reasonable” search for suitable work (Sec. 5).

• Requires a business to submit a plan for the work-share program to the Department of Workforce Development, including, but not limited to, the following information (Sec. 11):
• Includes at least 10 percent of the employees in the affected area of work;
• Includes at least 20 positions that are filled at the time the plan is submitted;
• Includes a plan for giving notice to employees of changes in the work schedule; 
• Includes a statement stating that the work-share program is in compliance with state and federal law;
• Specifies the date the plan will be in effect, which is not to exceed 6 months in a 5-year period; and
• Specifies the hours per week included in the plan to be at least 10 percent, and at most 50 percent of the employees' normal hours.

• Exempts seasonal, temporary, or intermittent employees from the provisions of this bill (Sec. 11).

• Authorizes an employee to receive wages from a separate employer than with whom the work-share program was established (Sec. 11).

• Authorizes the employer or the employee to terminate the employment during the effective period of the work-study program (Sec. 11). 

• Requires the Department of Workforce Development to attempt to qualify the State for full federal participation in the cost of administration of this bill and in the financing of benefits to employees participating in work-share programs (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text