EI Work Share Program Update

“Hi Cori – I just thought I’d follow up and let you know how Work Share is working for our employees.
So far, so good. The program takes a lot of time on the HR end, as there are details that can be easily over looked, but timing is the important part.

Our application took two wks to approve and we implemented it as soon as we got the approval; the Work Share officer assigned to us has been very helpful in advising me on how to approach changes to our application, additions to our unit, etc; the EI officers assigned to us in Vancouver is very efficient and quick to respond to calls or emails. The learning curve to the paper work requirements is steep at first, but quickly levels off. We probably spent 3 hours doing our first batch of cards and utilization reports to submit to EI; this time will be less, as the cards are mailed to the employees at different intervals (hard to track for payment timing) and I send in my utilization report bi-weekly (this can be mailed or emailed). The reporting of hours is currently being changed to electronic submission which will decrease the time it takes for the employees to receive their monies from EI.

I will know more, when the employees receive their EI payments to see what the turnaround time is for them.

Just to give the Work Share program another YEAH, I had to apply for an extension on our program already in place and they approved it within one week. This process of “amendments” normally takes 3-4 wks. So the folks at the Work Share unit are really trying to ensure companies keep their employees working, even if it’s at a reduced work week.

Have a great day in the rain.” – Belinda Rappel, Human Resources

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