FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Gideon, Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 9, 2023) — A bill authored by State Sen. Eric Bassler (R-Washington) that would establish a work sharing program through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) passed the Senate Committee on Pensions of Labor Wednesday by a vote of 8-1.
Senate Bill 347 would permit employers in Indiana to opt in to a program to offset potential layoffs.
Under the proposal, companies would be able to reduce the number of hours employees work instead of laying off a certain percentage of its workforce.
For example, if a company is planning to lay off 25% of its workforce, it could instead reduce the hours for all employees by 25%.
A worker whose hours are reduced would be able to file for unemployment insurance based on the percentage of decreased hours.
"With the tough current economic situation and inflation hitting 40-year highs in 2022, small and large businesses are looking for ways to endure," Bassler said. "This bill would keep Hoosiers working and help them avoid a significant loss of income, and I am pleased to see the bill receive bipartisan support and move out of the committee."
Work sharing also allows companies to maintain its trained workforce, avoid hiring costs when the economy improves and prevents high turnover.
SB 347 now moves to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for further consideration.
Legislative calendars, agendas, vote tallies, live streams and proposed legislation can be viewed online by visiting iga.in.gov.
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State Sen. Eric Bassler (R-Washington) represents Senate District 39, which includes
Daviess, Greene, Knox, and Martin counties, and portions of Owen and Sullivan counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
