Law with bipartisan support increases options to retain skilled employees

Important updates are planned in July for the state's Work Share Program administered by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) that will allow employers more options to adjust work hours and prevent layoffs.

The change to Work Share, part of bipartisan unemployment legislation passed in December 2024, is designed to give employers more flexibility during temporary downturns while at the same time help employees stay connected to their jobs and retain some of their lost pay.

Beginning the week of July 19, the allowable reduction in employee working hours for employers with an approved Work Share plan will expand from the current range of 15 percent to 45 percent to a new range of 10 percent to 60 percent.

"When workers face the possibility of losing their jobs, the Unemployment Insurance Agency and the Work Share program are ready to help," UIA Director Jason Palmer said. "More than 100 employers participated in Work Share last year, avoiding nearly 1,500 layoffs. The expanded coverage bolsters a program that has a clear record of success in supporting Michigan businesses and workers."

How Work Share supports employers and workers

Through Work Share, employers can reduce employee hours without laying off their trained and experienced workforce. Workers then receive partial unemployment benefits to offset some of their lost wages. This allows businesses to maintain productivity and retain skilled employees.

For example, if an employee earns $1,000 per week and the employer needs to reduce hours by 30 percent, the employee would be paid only $700 in wages. Using Work Share, the employee could also receive 30 percent of their eligible unemployment benefit. If they qualify for the current maximum weekly benefit rate of $530, the worker will receive $159. Their total weekly income during the period when they are working reduced hours would be $859.

"The Work Share Program changes provides greater flexibility for small business owners when they have to navigate workforce disruptions," said Brian Calley, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. "With the new law changes, businesses will have more options to remain open and keep their trained teams working. Work Share reduces the burden on employers who would otherwise be responsible for covering the cost of full unemployment benefits."

"Michigan manufacturers know that their employees are their greatest asset. The expansion of the Work Share program gives employers another practical tool to navigate temporary fluctuations in business activity without losing the skilled workers they have invested significant time and resources to recruit and train," said Dave Worthams, Director of Employment Policy at the Michigan Manufacturers Association. "MMA appreciates the partnership of the Unemployment Insurance Agency and policymakers in advancing changes that support both Michigan workers and the employers that depend on them."

To qualify for Work Share, employers must meet certain criteria, including:

• Maintain a positive UIA account balance.
• Include all employees, full- or part-time, in the affected work unit.
• Limit each plan to no more than 52 consecutive weeks.
• Exclude seasonal, temporary, or intermittent workers.

Work Share benefits are charged to the employer's unemployment tax account. For more than a decade, the program has helped employers reduce costs, stabilize their workforce, and continue operating during short-term downturns and other unexpected challenges.

Program's big impact in Michigan in 2025

Work Share provided significant value to Michigan businesses and workers last year:

• Helped prevent 1,458 layoffs.
• 105 employers participated.
• 618 plans were approved.
• $1.59 million in Work Share benefits were paid.
• 14,392 weeks of work were supported.
• Saved the unemployment system approximately $6 million compared to the cost of full unemployment claims.

For information about how to apply for Work Share, go to Michigan.gov/WorkShare, where you will also find a brochure, toolkit, FAQs, and more.

Helpful resources for workers and employers

UIA's many helpful online resources for navigating the unemployment landscape are part of the agency's commitment to being a national model for fast, fair, and fraud-free service:

• Employer Help Center. This plain language guide answers employers' questions about unemployment tax, claim issues, and UIA programs. The Help Center can be found at Michigan.gov/UIAEmployerHelpCenter.
• The UIA Claimant Roadmap, a six-step, user-friendly guide to applying for and understanding benefits. Access the roadmap at Michigan.gov/UIAClaimantRoadmap.
• UIA Modernization Workgroup. A coalition of thought leaders from the labor, business, and jobless advocate communities that provides insight into how the agency can better serve Michigan's workers and employers.
• The Advocacy Program, which provides free legal help for unemployed workers and employers who appeal UIA redeterminations.
• New chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA. Powered by artificial intelligence, it provides quick and accurate answers to general unemployment questions from employers and workers. Access the chatbot using either a desktop or mobile device.
• Online Coaching Sessions, which are web-based group sessions led by UIA staff on topics such as filing a first-time claim, understanding a Monetary Determination letter, the protest and appeals process, and seeking work and registration requirements. The First-time Filer Coaching Session is also available in Spanish.
• Language Assistance Services provide free support in Spanish, Arabic, Albanian, Bengali, and Chinese to increase understanding of the services and information UIA provides.
• Phone, virtual, or in-person appointments that can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance at Michigan.gov/UIA.
• Answers to frequently asked questions, toolkits, detailed information, and other resources for workers and employers can be found at Michigan.gov/UIA. Helpful instructional and informational videos are posted on YouTube.
• MiUI University, to learn more about UIA's new, modern MiUI user platform. MiUI will be easy to use, speed claims processing, and build on the agency's aggressive anti-fraud tactics. It also will include plain language forms and correspondence for easier understanding of next steps.
• A comprehensive list of resources for federal workers who have been laid off or terminated at Michigan.gov/FederalWorkerHelp.
• Transparent UIA Dashboards. Interactive tools provide a deep dive into underlying data and trends in unemployment insurance in Michigan as well as core metrics that measure UIA's success.
• 2025 Annual Report. Data-driven insights into UIA's initiatives to improve the unemployment experience for workers and employers across Michigan.

Need help or have questions about a claim?

Ask online: UIA's chatbot at Michigan.gov/UIA can answer many questions.

Search online: FAQs, videos, toolkits, and other resources at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Chat with us: Available through MiWAM Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Meet with us: Schedule an in-person, phone, or virtual meeting at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Talk with us: 1-866-500-0017, Monday through Friday. TTY service: 1-866-366-0004.