RochesterWorks! and the New York State Department of Labor have programs in place to assist businesses that are downsizing or are at risk of downsizing.

Shared Work Program

The New York State Department of Labor’s Shared Work is a voluntary program that provides employers facing a temporary decline in business with an alternative to layoffs. Under this program, instead of cutting staff, you can reduce the number of hours of all workers, or just a select group. Under an approved plan, employees may collect partial Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits for up to 20 weeks.

For more information, visit:
http://www.labor.state.ny.us/ui/dande/sharedwork1.shtm

Transitional Services
If layoffs are pending, RochesterWorks has the expertise and services to help you and your employees through this difficult time.  One of the most proactive approaches to getting your employees through a downsizing is to bring transition services to them, on-site, while they are still part of the company.  This helps you, because they clearly see you as the provider of these services. It helps them by getting them better prepared, emotionally and functionally, for beginning their job search.

RochesterWorks can offer an array of services including skills assessment, training, and workshops, at no charge, for the employees affected by this downsizing. For more information, contact Christina Bakewicz at cbakewicz@rochesterworks.org or 585-232-5232.

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