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According to Service Canada, work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and workers avoid temporary layoffs when there is a reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The measure provides income support to workers eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work-week.

Work-Sharing Agreements must be agreed upon by both employee and employer representatives, and approved by Service Canada.

Work-Sharing is about:

  • helping employers retain skilled employees and avoid the costly process of recruiting and training new employees when business returns to normal levels; and
  • helping employees maintain their skills and job by supplementing their wages with Employment Insurance benefits for the days they are not working.


  • Globe Online discussion: Canadian workers cozy up to job-sharing
  • Feature story: Work-sharing - Buying jobs and buying time'


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