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Work Share Employee FAQ

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Employee Questions: Updated 5/27/2020 

Q. Will our unemployment payments and federal CARES payments be retroactive to our first furlough day?

5/27/2020
Yes. The final determination for all unemployment benefits will be made by the Employment Department, not MESD.

Q. Can an employee take paid leave (sick, vacation and PTO) between Monday to Thursday during Furlough and still receive my $600 work share money?

5/27/2020
It is best not to use PTO during the Work Share program. You can work a flexible schedule pending arrangements with your supervisor.

Q. Is the $600 taxed also?

5/26/2020
Unemployment benefits are considered compensation, just like income from a job. Under the CARES Act, the federal government is paying eligible unemployed people an extra $600 a week until July 31. The additional payment is added on to your regular benefits and will be taxed as income.

Q. Can you use your PTO and sick leave time to cover the furlough Fridays if you are opting out of work share due to retiring in 3 years? I have enough sick leave to cover the 9 days left after my PTO is used up. Who do I talk to about that?

5/26/2020
If you are not participating in work share, then you will continue to work your normal hours. With that said you will be able to use PTO.

Q. Will an existing, second job affect eligibility for Work Share?

5/26/2020
If your earnings from a non-Work Share employer exceed either 10 times the state hourly minimum wage or 1/3 of your weekly benefit amount (whichever is more), the excess amount is deducted dollar for dollar from your Work Share benefit. Eligibility is determined solely by the Oregon Employment Department based on state law. MESD has no authority to decide if an employee is eligible for unemployment benefits.

Q. I do not work 40 hours per week. My 20% would mean working a fraction of an hour one day. How do I document that?

5/26/2020
Work with your supervisor to determine how you will work your reduced shedule.

Q. If an employee chooses to retire within three years,  it is my understanding that they may opt out  of the furloughed offer and " will remain at 100% workweek".  Does that mean they will be working on Friday and receive their same compensation until the end of the school year?  

5/26/2020
Yes, that is correct.

Q. I am an employee who will have been employed with MESD for less than 6 months.  Since I won't qualify for the Work Share program, am I eligible for regular unemployment?

5/26/2020
You encouraged to apply to unemployment if your hours are being reduced, but do not qualify for the Work Share program. Eligibility is determined solely by the Oregon Employment Department based on state law. MESD has no authority to decide if an employee is eligible for unemployment benefits.

Q. Do you have to be a member of a union to be eligible to receive work share and CARE act benefits?

5/26/2020
No, you do not have to be a member of a union to be eligible. Generally speaking, to be eligible for unemployment benefits under Work Share, you:
  • Must be employed continuously (and not on a limited term) by MESD full-time for the past 6 months or part-time for the past 12 months.
  • Must not be a limited term employee or a substitute employee.
  • Must be available to work your reduced hours in the week of the Work Share program.
  • Must not have recently exhausted employment benefits.

Q. So the temps we have working at Wheatley that were hired anytime after January 1 are not eligible.... will they be paid for the 5 day week and not qualify for the Work Share funds.... and required to work the 5th day or is the furlough mandatory for them? If the employee does NOT Qualify... it is not mandatory and MESD continues to pay their full 5 days, correct?

5/26/2020
Noneligible employees will continue to their normal schedule, and their wages/hours will not be affected. The reduction in hours is mandatory, and your MESD wages will be reduced by 20% if you are eligible.

If you don’t want to participate in the unemployment compensation / Work Share process and do not want to receive payments, do not submit an initial claim application. Your participation in the Work Share program is voluntary. However, if you choose not to participate and you are eligible, you will still work a reduced schedule and your MESD wages will be reduced.

Q. Is the payment through Oregon Unemployment Insurance a flat $600, or does it depend on how much we make hourly?

5/26/2020
If you are eligible for Oregon Work Share unemployment benefits in any week for any amount, you will automatically be eligible for an additional $600 / week of federal CARES Act payments through the last pay period that ends on or before July 31, 2020. the federal $600 weekly unemployment benefit and your state insurance benefits are considered taxable income.

Q. I started work in December 2019. I have less than 6 months. Do I feel out the Care Act form now with everyone else or do I have to wait for my time?

5/26/2020
If you become eligible before July 31, 2020, and within your regular work year, you will be added as a participant in the Work Share program at that time and you will be eligible to receive benefits.

Q. What makes an employee "eligible" as opposed to "ineligible?"

5/26/2020
Eligibility is determined solely by the Oregon Employment Department based on state law. MESD has no authority to decide if an employee is eligible for unemployment benefits.

Q. I don't understand the answer to the question "How do furloughs work with accumulated leave? Could I end up not working much for the remainder of the year?" How does this question differ from the following 2 questions.

5/26/2020
This would increase the number of non-work hours prior to the end of June and into July. With the caveat that furlough days are determined by the District, not the employee.

Q. Is everyone who works for the MESD eligible?

5/26/2020
No, not all MESD employees will be eligible for the Work Share Program. There are employees who will not qualify based on the criteria of the Work Share program. Particularly, employees with less than six months of service to MESD do not qualify.
 
Generally speaking, to be eligible for unemployment benefits under Work Share, you:
  • Must be employed continuously (and not on a limited term) by MESD full-time for the past 6 months or part-time for the past 12 months.
  • Must not be a limited term employee or a substitute employee.
  • Must be available to work your reduced hours in the week of the Work Share program.
  • Must not have recently exhausted employment benefits.

Eligibility is determined solely by the Oregon Employment Department based on state law. MESD has no authority to decide if an employee is eligible for unemployment benefits.

If you are eligible for Oregon Work Share unemployment benefits in any week for any amount, you will automatically be eligible for an additional $600 / week of federal CARES Act payments through the last pay period that ends on or before July 31, 2020.

Q.  I am a retiring employee or within three years of retiring.  If I opt out of the Work Share program what income will MESD report to PERS?

5/14/2020
MESD will report your regular income to PERS.

Q.  I am a retiring employee or within three years of retiring and I am opting out of the Work Share plan.  Can I use my PTO or other leaves?

5/14/2020
If a retiring employee or employee within three years of retirement opts out of the current Work Share Plan, the employee will not be furloughed and may request to use PTO or any other leaves per normal approval and usage policies and procedures.

Q.   I am a retiring employee or employee that will be retiring in three years. If I choose to participate in the Oregon Work Share Program, will my pre-furlough wages be reported to PERS?

5/14/2020
No. All employees participating in the Work Share program will have post-furlough wages reported to PERS

Q.  What is the Oregon Work Share Program?

5/13/2020
Work Share is an Oregon unemployment benefits program that offers an alternative to laying off employees by reducing work hours instead. Eligible staff whose hours and wages are reduced receive a portion of their regular unemployment insurance benefits to compensate for the lost wages.

MESD is proposing participation in the Work Share program by reducing eligible employees’ hours and MESD pay by 20%.

Q.  How does Work Share affect our benefits?

5/13/2020
There is no change to insurance benefits.

Q.  What if I am receiving Social Security?

5/13/2020
Receiving Social Security will not impact your eligibility to receive compensation under the Work Share program.

Q.  How do MESD furlough days impact employees we have working in other districts?

5/13/2020
Since they are MESD employees, they will follow the furlough schedule for our District.

Q.  Will there be someone assisting with the paperwork process? Or should we reach out to unemployment if this happens?

5/13/2020
Human Resources will assist with the paperwork.

Q.  Is there assistance to help fill out the initial claim application?

5/13/2020
Contact Human Resources if you need assistance.

Q.  What do I need to do right now?

5/13/2020
Nothing. MESD and the Oregon Employment Department are working together on the submission process. You will receive instructions soon on the one-page document you need to complete to receive unemployment benefits.

​Q.  How many forms do I have to fill out?

5/13/2020
You only need to complete a one-page initial claim application. MESD and the Oregon Employment Department are working together on the submission process. More information will be available soon.

When you file the initial claim application, you may also elect to receive payments via direct deposit and to have taxes withheld from your payments. You will receive instructions on how to elect these options next week.

If you choose not to submit the initial claim application, you will not receive payments, although you will still be furloughed.

​Q.  Do I have to look for other work or turn in additional forms on an ongoing basis?

5/13/2020
No. The only thing you need to do is fill out the initial claim application, and we encourage you to fill out the optional forms for direct deposit. MESD and the Oregon Employment Department are working together on the submission process. More information and support will be available soon.

MESD will turn in a weekly certification after that. If information you provided on your initial application changes, such as a change in income from a second job or retirement income, you must notify MESD immediately at hrdept@mesd.k12.or.us.

​Q.  When is my initial claim application due?

5/13/2020
Your initial claim application will be due next week, the week of May 18. We will email all employees with specific instructions on how to file.

Q.  Do I have to apply separately for the federal CARES amount of $600?

5/13/2020
No. The Oregon Employment Department will make payments for the CARES Act along with payments under the Work Share program.

​Q.  Will there be a lag time on unemployment benefits kicking in?

5/13/2020
If the Work Share is approved by the Board, we expect that employees would start to receive unemployment benefits by the end of the month, around the same time as the May paycheck.

Q.  Are the payments taxed?

5/13/2020
Yes, payments under the Work Share program and CARES Act are taxable income. You may elect to have taxes withheld from your unemployment compensation payments. More information will be provided with the application process soon on how to elect tax withholding.

At the end of January next year, you will receive a mailed Form 1099-G from the Oregon Employment Department, which is a Statement for Recipients of Unemployment Compensation, to use in filing your 2020 tax returns.

​Q.  Will the payments come with my MESD wage payments or will it be a separate payment?

5/13/2020
The payments will come from the Oregon Employment Department. They will come as separate payments.

​Q.  How does this affect 192, 202, 210, 233 and 260 day employees?

5/13/2020
You are only eligible to receive compensation through the Work Share program for the weeks that you are furloughed during your regular work week, regardless of whether you work less than 12 months but are paid over 12 months.

​Q.  MESD: Is there a one-week waiting period before receiving unemployment benefits?

5/13/2020
Although there is usually a one-week waiting period, Oregon Governor Kate Brown has announced that the state will be waiving this requirement and that the waiver will be retroactive. This means that if you are eligible for benefits, these benefits will include your first week of furlough. This does not mean you will receive payment after one week.

​Q.  How do furloughs work with accumulated leave? Could I end up not working much for the remainder of the year?

5/13/2020
This would increase the number of non-work hours prior to the end of June and into July. With the caveat that furlough days are determined by the District, not the employee.

​Q.  Will my vacation and sick leave accrual rates change?

5/13/2020
All leave accrual will remain the same.

​Q.  Can I put in vacation time for the day / time I am scheduled to have reduced hours?

5/13/2020
No, you are not allowed to use your paid leave time during the time you are scheduled to have reduced hours.

Q. What if an employee wants to take paid time off (sick leave, PTO, vacation) while the District is participating in Work Share?

5/13/2020
To be determined...

Q.  Will this have any impact on my retirement benefits?

5/13/2020
If you retire or are retiring, you may be excluded from participating in the Work Share program.

The employer contribution will be based on 100% of your normal wages. It will not be based on your reduced wages. The employer contribution that MESD will make will not change because of the furlough.

​Q.  Does the furlough day have to be Friday?

5/13/2020
Yes. Except for a few positions in which component district or programs require a staff person to be on-duty, all staff will be furloughed on Fridays.

​Q.  What are the work expectations while I am working a reduced schedule?

5/13/2020
A reduced schedule means you are not expected to work during the time you have reduced hours. All eligible employees will have their schedules reduced by 20% per week. If you typically work 5 days a week, this means you will most likely not work on Fridays.

​Q.  MESD: What if I’m on a leave for a COVID-related situation?

5/13/2020
If you are on a COVID-related leave, then you are still eligible for the Work Share program.

COVID-related situations are defined as the following:
  1. Unable to work because you are sick with COVID;
  2. Subject to mandatory quarantine;
  3. Unable to work because you have been advised by a doctor to self-quarantine;
  4. Unable to work because the employer has shut down due to the pandemic;
  5. Unable to work because you have to care for a person who qualifies under 1) or 2);
  6. Unable to work due to child care issues; or
  7. Being asked to work in violation of the Governor’s shut-down order.

The COVID-related eligibility issues are complex and were simplified for these FAQs.

​Q.  What is MESD’s plan for the unused PTO, the three-day benefit?

5/13/2020
At this time, the contracted PTO payout remains in place.

​Q.  How does the current Work Share plan impact employees that are scheduled to work less than 40 hours / week?

5/13/2020
All employees that qualify for Work Share under the proposed plan will be furloughed by 20% under the proposed plan.  As an example, an employee that is scheduled to work 30 hours during a regularly scheduled week will have their work hours reduced by 20% or 6 hours per week and work 24 hours.

​Q.  Are there employees who don’t qualify for Work Share benefits?

5/13/2020
There are employees who will not qualify based on the criteria of the Work Share program. Particularly, employees with less than six months of service to MESD do not qualify. Employees that don't qualify for Work Share will not be furloughed under the current plan unless they become eligible for Work Share. 
 
Generally speaking, to be eligible for unemployment benefits under Work Share, you:
  • Must be employed continuously (and not on a limited term) by MESD full-time for the past 6 months or part-time for the past 12 months.
  • Must not be a limited term employee or a substitute employee.
  • Must be available to work your reduced hours in the week of the Work Share program.
  • Must not have recently exhausted employment benefits.

Eligibility is determined solely by the Oregon Employment Department based on state law. MESD has no authority to decide if an employee is eligible for unemployment benefits.

If you are eligible for Oregon Work Share unemployment benefits in any week for any amount, you will automatically be eligible for an additional $600 / week of federal CARES Act payments through the last pay period that ends on or before July 31, 2020.

​Q.  What if I’m not eligible now but will be before July 31, 2020?

5/13/2020
If you become eligible before July 31, 2020, and within your regular work year, you will be added as a participant in the Work Share program at that time and you will be eligible to receive benefits.

​Q.  What if I get email or questions on a day or time that I am furloughed (i.e., Friday)?

5/13/2020
You may not perform work during the time your schedule has been reduced. All work needs to be done in the usual course on a day you are scheduled to work.

​Q.  What if I don’t want to participate in the Work Share program?

5/13/2020
The reduction in hours is mandatory, and your MESD wages will be reduced by 20%.

If you don’t want to participate in the unemployment compensation / Work Share process and do not want to receive payments, do not submit an initial claim application. Your participation in the Work Share program is voluntary. However, if you choose not to participate and you are eligible, you will still work a reduced schedule and your MESD wages will be reduced.

​Q.  I live in Washington. Do I apply in Oregon or Washington for unemployment benefits?

5/13/2020
You apply in Oregon — following the same process as employees who live in Oregon. Washington residents who work in Oregon can apply for Oregon unemployment benefits.

​Q.  Should I be worried that the State gets overwhelmed and my checks from them are delayed as a result?

5/13/2020
The Oregon Employment Department is currently reporting a three-week processing time for unemployment insurance payments. We cannot guarantee a time certain that the state payments will begin, and there may be some delay in payments.

MESD is partnering with the Oregon Employment Department to streamline this process as much as possible. We are hopeful that the impact of any delay will be minimized by receiving weekly payments for unemployment benefits in addition to your MESD paycheck.

Additional Resources

State of Oregon Work Share Program: https://www.oregon.gov/employ/unemployment/pages/work-share-program.aspx

Federal Cares Act, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Guidance from the US Dept. of Labor: https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=9297
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