Work Sharing Program

Cut Hours, Not Jobs

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Work Sharing Program

Cut Hours, Not Jobs

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Employers can apply for the Work Sharing program as a temporary alternative to layoffs if the business’s production or services have been reduced.

How the Program Works

The program helps employers:

  • Minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs in nearly all types of businesses or industries.
  • Keep trained employees and quickly recover when business conditions improve.

Employees whose hours and wages have been reduced can:

  • Receive unemployment benefits.
  • Keep their current job.
  • Minimize financial hardships.
“The Work Sharing program really helped us out during a period that construction had slowed down considerably. It worked out great for all of us—we kept a great crew and they still worked during a very slow period. It really is a good program.”
Laura Zeller, California Employer

Important Plan Details

All approved Work Sharing plans are active for one year.

Work Sharing plans always begin on Sunday. The earliest date to start a new Work Sharing plan is the Sunday before the first day you contact the EDD.

To renew your plan without a gap in coverage, you must submit an application no more than 10 days after your previous plan ends. Otherwise, your plan will start the Sunday before the day we receive your application.

To participate, an employer’s business must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be a legally registered business in California.
  • Have an active California State Employer Account Number.
  • A minimum of two employees and at least 10 percent of your regular workforce, or a department of the workforce, must be affected by a reduction in hours and wages.
  • Hours and wages must be reduced by 10 to 60 percent.
  • Health and retirement benefits must stay the same as before, or they must meet the same standards as other employees who are not participating in Work Sharing.
  • The employees’ bargaining unit must agree to voluntarily participate and sign the application for Work Sharing.
  • Affected work units to be covered by the Work Sharing plan, and each participating employee, must be identified by their legal name and Social Security number.
  • Employees must know in advance that you plan to take part in the Work Sharing program.
  • Estimated amount of layoffs to be avoided by participating in the Work Sharing program.
  • All necessary reports and information are provided to the EDD.
  • Leased, intermittent, seasonal, or temporary service employees cannot participate.
  • Corporate officers or major stockholders with investment in the company cannot participate.
  • Work Sharing cannot be used as a transition to a layoff.

Apply or Renew Online

Apply or renew online for faster processing and to conveniently manage your account.

Note: You cannot apply for Work Sharing using Internet Explorer. Use Chrome for the best online experience.

Register for an Account

To access Work Sharing online, you must first register for an account, even if you already have an existing plan.

Once you have registered, log in to apply for a Work Sharing plan, submit a form, or quickly view and manage approved plans online.

If you have an existing plan, you can link it to your new online account after you log in.

Register for an Account

Already have an account? Log in to Work Sharing.

Apply or Renew by Mail

All employers can also apply by mail with the Work Sharing (WS) Unemployment Insurance Plan Application (DE 8686) (PDF).

You may need to download the no-cost Adobe Reader to view and print the application.

Contact Work Sharing

Employers

If you need additional information on the Work Sharing Program, contact the EDD Special Claims Office at 1-916-464-3343.

Employees

If you are approved by your employer to participate in the Work Sharing Program and have questions about your claim, contact the EDD Special Claims office at 1-916-464-3300.

Additional Resources

General Information

How-to Guides