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WorkShare plans may be submitted by any New Hampshire employer whose taxes are currently up to date and who is in good standing with the NH Department of Labor. They must certify that they are averting layoffs to full time or permanent part-time employees by reducing the number of hours worked between 10% - 50% in a specific class unit.

The reduction must be spread equally across all employees in the area and the employer must continue to provide health care benefits currently in place. A plan cannot start prior to 21 calendar days after submission of the plan and the plan cannot exceed 26 weeks, although a new plan can be submitted at the completion of a plan. WorkShare Plan denials can not be appealed; although an employer may submit a new plan for consideration.

Plans will not be approved for seasonal employment during the off season or as a subsidy for intermittent employment.

Upon approval of a WorkShare plan an employee must submit either an initial claim or reopen a claim for unemployment compensation and be approved to receive benefits under RSA 282-A. If approved, they will receive a weekly benefit rate, and a written determination detailing the employers and wages used in the base period to calculate the weekly benefit amount. If after reviewing the determination, the employee does not agree with the weekly benefit rate, they may contact us to provide documentation of missing wage information or have the right to file an appeal.

If the employer has employees covered by a collective bargaining agent or union, the plan must be approved, in writing, by the collective bargaining agent who cover the affected employees.

Per NH law, one wait week per benefit year must be served by individuals collecting NH Unemployment Compensation, including WorkShare participants, unless they have already served their wait week in their current benefit year.

Individuals participating in a WorkShare plan are not required to look for new work. They must be able and available for the normal work week with the WorkShare employer and must work all the hours offered by the WorkShare employer in any given week up to the employee's usual weekly hours.

All WorkShare benefits are charged to the account of the WorkShare employer, regardless of the length of time the employee worked for the WorkShare employer. Employers liable for payments in lieu of contributions (reimbursable employers) will be charged and billed for the full amount of WorkShare benefits paid to their employees. Employers with a negative balance must agree to reimburse dollar for dollar WorkShare benefits in order for a plan to be approved.

WorkShare provides benefits to employees who are experiencing a reduction in hours at their location or within their specific unit. Business owners and corporate officers are generally not eligible for WorkShare benefits.

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New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES)
45 South Fruit Street  |  Concord NH 03301  |  603-224-3311  |  1-800-852-3400
TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964