Thousands of Hoosiers lose jobs to lay-offs or closures annually. Hundreds of workers are already set to be affected by scheduled layoffs or closures this year, according to the state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice page.
Some lawmakers want to give Indiana employers a new option to keep workers during difficult times.
A committee voted to advance Senate Bill 347 Wednesday. The bill would create a “work-sharing” program in Indiana.
Instead of layoffs, work-share lets companies reduce employees’ hours and have the state pay affected workers a portion of their unemployment benefits relative to hours lost.
Ashton Eller testified in support of the bill on behalf of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
“Among the benefits of the program, employers retain well trained employees,” Eller said. “And when the economy recovers, work hours are increased and the employer does not have to go outside of his or her walls to recruit new talent. They're already there.”
Similar bills failed in past years despite broad business and workers’ groups support. Only the Indiana Manufacturers Association opposed the idea in testimony last week.
“First and foremost, we're here today to question the need for work-sharing unemployment insurance program in today's economy, with the labor market being as tight as it is,” said Sam Charron, the association’s director of governmental affairs. “We are concerned that such a program may serve to incentivize part time employment with...
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