Connecticut’s Shared Work Program

Connecticut’s Shared Work Program permits employers to reduce work hours while affected employees collect unemployment compensation equal to some or all of their lost earnings. Under the Program employees share the impact of reduced demand, but receive unemployment compensation benefits they would not otherwise be eligible for. To qualify for the Program, at least four full time employees must participate in the plan, employee hours must be reduced by 20 to 40 percent, employers must maintain all benefit levels, and the reduction in hours must be in lieu of a layoff of an equivalent percentage of the workforce. Employees must still meet the general eligibility requirements for unemployment compensation. Interested companies should contact the Connecticut Department of Labor at 860-263-6660 for an application, which typically takes up to 30 days for review and approval.