- Jefferson School District 14J
- Work Share
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JSD Work Share Program Resources
Welcome to the Jefferson School District website for information regarding the Oregon Work Share Program. The Oregon Work Share Program can provide benefits to employees when an employer must reduce work hours for budget or workload reasons. Jefferson School District is participating in this program in order to reduce payroll expenses while allowing eligible employees to receive Work Share + CARES benefits to offset the loss of wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: May 19th, 2020
Updates will be published regularly as new information becomes available.
These FAQ’s are based on information available at the time of publication, are not binding and do not provide legal advice, assurance of eligibility or benefits.
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What is the Oregon Work Share Program
Work Share is an Oregon Employment Department benefit program designed to reduce layoffs by reducing the work hours of a group of employees rather than eliminating positions. The Work Share Program provides benefit payments to all eligible employees to help offset the reduction in hours and wages.
Jefferson School District is participating in the Work Share Program by reducing all eligible employees hours and wages by one day a week over the remaining four weeks in this 2019-2020 school year. Each of these days are called furlough days.
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Are all employees in all department affected by the furlough days?
Every employee of Jefferson School District will be furloughed unless they fall into one of the ineligible categories listed below. This furlough will include, but is not limited to, our superintendent, administrators, supervisors, licensed staff, classified staff, confidential staff and all other employees receiving regular pay from Jefferson School District.
Some employees may be ineligible for the Work Share program. Examples of ineligible employees may include, but is not limited to:
Full time staff employed less than six months
Part time staff employed less than twelve months
Employees not actively working (may not be on leave or take leave)
Temporary staff
Employees who are receiving certain retirement income
Eligibility for the Work Share Program is determined solely by the Oregon Employment Department based on state law. Jefferson School District has no authority in determination of eligibility for Work Share benefits.
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What will my Work Share Program benefit be?
If you are determined to be eligible for Work Share benefits, your benefit amount will be calculated using your earnings from the four calendar quarters in 2019. An online estimator is available here: https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ocs/estimator/
This calculator will provide your WEEKLY maximum benefit. Through the Work Share Program, your benefit will be equal to 20% of the amount shown in the calculator, matching the 20% reduction in your work hours with Jefferson School District.
If you are eligible for Oregon Work Share benefits in any week for an amount of $1 or more, you will automatically be eligible for an additional $600/week of Federal CARES Act payments. This amount will be included with your Work Share benefit payment.
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What do I need to do right now?
Work Share forms will be emailed to you from your union president. Please fill out and RETURN TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE. This is very important. Please do not send the forms to the Employment Department. The district office will turn them in on your behalf. Forms are due no later than noon on Wednesday May 27, 2020.
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My information has changed since I completed my Initial Claim Form. What do I need to do?
If any of the information provided on your Initial Claim Form changes, you must email hattie.truett@jefferson.k12.or.us immediately. Changes that must be reported include, but are not limited to:
New Address
New Phone Number
You start a new job
You stop working a job you reported on your Initial Claim Form
If you are uncertain if you need to report your changed information, please email hattie.truett@jefferson.k12.or.us
Do not submit your documents to the Oregon Employment Department.
Doing so could cause a delay in receiving benefits.
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What if I don’t want to participate in the Work Share program?
The reduction in your work hours is mandatory, and your Jefferson School District wages will be reduced by 20%, however it is your choice whether to apply for the Work Share Program or not.
If you don’t want to participate in the Work Share Program, do not submit an Initial Claim Form. However, you will not receive the additional $600 Federal CARES Act benefit without participation in the Work Share Program.
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What happens if i'm not eligible for the Work Share Program?
Some employees may be ineligible for the Work Share program. Examples of ineligible employees may include, but is not limited to:
Full time staff employed less than six months
Part time staff employed less than twelve monthsEmployees not actively working (those who are on leave or begin a new leave)
Temporary staff
Employees who are receiving certain retirement income
For employees who fall into the categories above, you will not be furloughed, your work hours will not be reduced, your wages will not be reduced, and you will be required to work on furlough days. For more information, please contact your supervisor.
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Will I still be on a reduced schedule if I’m not eligible for one of the reasons listed in the question above?
No, you will be expected to work on the furlough days. You may be asked by your supervisor to assist other schools, programs or departments within the district as needed.
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How will I know if I am ineligible?
You should assume that you are eligible. We urge all employees to submit the Initial Claim Form if they choose to do so.
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What if I am eligible for the Work Share Program but my benefit amount is zero due to other personal situations?
Some employees may be eligible to participate in the program but may have other personal situations that reduce their benefit amount to zero. Situations that may reduce a benefit amount to zero may include, but are not limited to, a second job, other income streams, certain garnishments or income withholding orders, etc.
We are working to develop guidance on this situation and will update this answer as soon as possible.
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When will I receive my first benefit payment from the Work Share Program?
We cannot guarantee when your first Work Share payment will be received. Jefferson School District is working with the Oregon Employment Department to streamline this process as much as possible.
Employees will not see a reduction in paychecks for furlough days until the June 20th paychecks. We are hopeful that Work Share benefit payments will begin by this date.
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I have multiple jobs. Will this affect my benefit amount through Work Share?
Maybe. If you have multiple jobs, it is possible your earnings may be too high to qualify for the Work Share Program. You will be required to report wages you receive or earn from any other work you perform each week to Hattie.truett@jefferson.k12.or.us.
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Do I have to apply separately for the federal CARES amount of $600?
No. Your CARES Act benefit will be included with your Work Share Program benefit from the Oregon Employment Department.
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Will the payments come with my Jefferson School District paychecks or will it be a separate payment?
The payments will come from the Oregon Employment Department not from Jefferson School District.
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How will I receive my benefit payments?
We encourage you to complete the Authorization for Electronic Deposit form. Your first payment(s) could be a paper check mailed to the address on your Initial Claim Application if your claim is processed prior to your Direct Deposit information being verified.
