The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) recently provided updates on various topics, including the items below. Please follow the links below if relevant to your situation.
SharedWork helps businesses avoid layoffs and ease into opening by paying employees partial unemployment benefits when their work hours are reduced. If you’re interested, you can learn more at esd.wa.gov/SharedWork. It’s especially appealing because, under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, SharedWork employees receive an additional $600/week. FPUC runs through July 25 but could be extended by the Federal Government.
Employers are encouraged to check their Employment Securing Benefits Statement. If you see an employee who should not be there and who you haven’t already reported to us, follow the instructions in the Employers section of www.esd.wa.gov/fraud.