What are the advantages (and disadvantages) of participating in the Shared Work Program?
• Production and quality levels are maintained and rapid recovery to full capacity is possible through retention of an experienced workforce. • When the economy recovers, administrative and training costs of hiring new employees are eliminated. • Affirmative action gains are protected. • Employee morale remains high. • The impact of a recession is more equitably distributed because most recently hired workers who would have been most susceptible to layoff are retained. • Employees retain their skills and advancement opportunities. • Consumer spending patterns remain more stable, which could result in a milder recession. • Public Assistance expenditures are lessened. Disadvantages to the Shared Work Program • Valuable employees who are able to locate full-time employment elsewhere may be lost. • Overhead costs are not reduced proportionately to the reduction in hours. • Work scheduling may be more difficult. • Senior employees suffer a reduction in hours and income.
