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La Grande School District is exploring assigning reduced work schedules effective the week of May 11, 2020 through the end of the regular school year. Qualifying employees will have their hours and pay reduced by one workday per week in an effort to conserve resources to help with anticipated shortfalls in the coming year due to the COVID pandemic financial impact. The District has submitted an application to the Oregon Employment Department for unemployment for LGSD staff under the federal CARES Act, which is funded through the Oregon Work Share program. If approved by the Oregon Employment Department, the employees who suffered a loss of hours and pay due to furlough days can gain access to CARES Act funds ($600/person/week) and will mean no net loss of income and have no impact on benefits; in fact, most eligible employees will see an increase in compensation during eligible weeks. The furlough will protect as many instructional days and staff positions as possible in the 2020-21 school year, while providing a benefit to employees now.
Are all work groups and departments affected by the furlough?
Is the Superintendent participating?
What if I get email or questions on a day or time that I am furloughed (i.e., Friday)?
What if I don’t want to participate in the Work Share program?
Who is eligible to receive unemployment compensation through the Oregon Work Share program?
What happens if I’m not eligible? Or what if I’m eligible for unemployment, but my benefits are $0?
Will I still be on a reduced schedule if I’m not eligible?
How will I know if I am ineligible?
Should I be worried that the State gets overwhelmed and my checks from them are delayed as a result?
I have a second job. Will this affect my payment amount through Work Share?
I/my spouse make too much to get the $1,200 federal stimulus payment. Will I still be eligible for the $600 CARES Act money?
How much will I earn through Work Share and the CARES Act?
What do I need to do right now?
How many forms do I have to fill out?
What if I need help filling out the initial claim application?
Do I have to look for other work or turn in additional forms on an ongoing basis?
When is my initial claim application due?
Do I have to apply separately for the federal CARES amount of $600?
How will I receive payments through the Work Share Program and CARES Act?
Are the payments taxed?
Can the state hold these payments if I am behind on state income tax payments or other payments (e.g., child support or alimony)?
Will the payments come with my LGSD wage payments or will it be a separate payment?
If I am an employee that works 10 months and gets paid over 12 months, will my paychecks be lower?
Is there a one-week waiting period before receiving unemployment benefits?
Can you post an example of the impacts of the one day hours reduction and resulting unemployment and CARES Act payments?
Will this have any impact on my health benefits?
Will my vacation and sick leave accrual rates change?
What if I am currently receiving retirement pay?
Do I get to choose when my hours will be reduced?
What are the work expectations while I am working a reduced schedule?
I am a part-time employee. What will my FTE be and what are my expectations?
What if I was on a leave of absence in the past 12 months?
What if I go on a leave of absence?
What if I’m on a leave for a COVID-related situation?
If you are on a COVID-related leave, then you are still eligible for the Work Share program.
COVID-related situations are defined as the following:
The COVID-related eligibility issues are complex and were simplified for these FAQs. If you think they apply to you, please contact the District Office.
Can I put in vacation time for the day/time I am scheduled to have reduced hours?
Is there assistance to help fill out the initial claim application?
If you need assistance or if you have any questions about how to fill out the form, please contact Laurie Batten in the District Office.
Will having reduced hours mean there will be no staff cuts next school year?
Will these unemployment payments for reduced hours make the state budget situation worse?
If we are closed, what about food service and daycare for First Responders?