Furlough Information

The David Douglas School District is moving toward a four day work week (which most commonly means reducing hours by 20% although the hours may be reduced up to 40% if the work week for that work calendar is less than 5 days) currently effective the week of October 5 through the end of CDL, after which, we will further evaluate the necessity of the program in terms of its ability to help DDSD minimize the number of required layoffs, and based on staffing needs, through the Oregon Work Share program. This will provide significant and immediate budget relief for the District. 

* “Partial furlough” means a 20% (up to 40% depending on work calendar) reduction in an employee’s scheduled work hours and a 20% (up to 40% depending on work calendar) reduction in that employee’s compensation. It does not refer to a leave of absence from work, nor is it subject to an employee’s decision about when to use the reduced hours. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Oregon Workshare Program?

Work Share is an Oregon unemployment benefits program that offers an alternative to laying off employees by reducing work hours instead. Eligible staff whose hours and wages are reduced receive a portion of their regular unemployment insurance benefits to compensate for the lost wages. 

DDSD is participating in the Work Share program by reducing eligible employees’ hours and DDSD pay by 20% (up to 40% depending on work calendar).

*For the State of Oregon’s Work Share Handbook, please click here.*

What if I get email or questions on a day or time that I am not scheduled to work (i.e., Friday)?

You may not perform work during the time your schedule has been reduced.  All work needs to be done in the usual course on a day you are scheduled to work.

What if I don’t want to participate in the Work Share program?

• The reduction in hours is mandatory, and your DDSD wages will be reduced by 20% (up to 40% depending on work calendar), unless you are in one of the categories of employees ineligible for the Work Share program. 
• If you don’t want to participate in the unemployment compensation/Work Share process email workshare@ddsd40.org and let us know you wish to be removed from the program. Your participation in the Work Share program is voluntary.  However, if you choose not to participate and you are eligible, you will still work a reduced schedule and your DDSD wages will be reduced.

Who is eligible to receive unemployment compensation through the Oregon Work Share program?

Work Share is an unemployment insurance program in Oregon that allows workers to receive partial unemployment benefits while avoiding full layoffs.   You must be eligible for Oregon’s Work Share program to participate.

Generally speaking, to be eligible for unemployment benefits under Work Share, you:

• Must be employed continuously (and not on a limited term) by DDSD full-time for the past 6 months or part-time for the past 12 months. 
• Must not be a limited term employee or a substitute employee.
• Must be available to work your reduced hours in the week of the Work Share program (so you must not be on a leave).
• Must not have recently exhausted employment benefits.

Eligibility is determined solely by the Oregon Employment Department based on state law.  DDSD has no authority to decide if an employee is eligible for unemployment benefits.

I live in Washington.  Do I apply in Oregon or Washington for unemployment benefits?

You will apply in Oregon – following the same process as employees who live in Oregon.  Washington residents who work in Oregon can apply for Oregon unemployment benefits.

What happens if I’m not eligible?  Or what if I’m eligible for unemployment, but my benefits are $0?

If you are not eligible for unemployment benefits, your DDSD wages will still be reduced by the 20% of your weekly hours per week.

Will I still be on a reduced schedule if I’m not eligible?

Yes, staff that have been identified for reduction will still be reduced regardless of unemployment eligibility

What if I’m not eligible now but will be before December 26, 2020?

If you become eligible before December 26, 2020, and within your regular work year, you will be added as a participant in the Work Share program at that time.

I have a second job. Will this affect my payment amount through Work Share?

Maybe. If you wish to pursue regular unemployment and be removed from workshare please email workshare@ddsd40.org and let us know you wish to be removed from the program

Will this have any impact on my health benefits?

No.  Under a Work Share program, health benefits are not reduced.

Will my vacation and sick leave accrual rates change?

All leave accrual will remain the same.

What if I will be receiving retirement pay within the next 12 months?

You are still eligible to participate in the WorkShare program. There will be no reduction in your creditable service.

There will be no reduction in creditable service because, for school district employees, a major fraction of a month is treated as a full month for creditable service.

There will be no impact on your final average salary because the employer contribution will be based on 100% of your normal wages (not your reduced wages), and the employer contribution that DDSD will make will not change because of your reduced schedule.

What if I am currently receiving retirement pay?

If you are receiving retirement pay you will need to report this on your initial claim application. 

If an employee is receiving retirement from an employer they worked for within the last 18 months, this may affect their eligibility to participate in the Work Share program.  This retirement pay will be deducted dollar for dollar against their weekly benefit amount for regular unemployment insurance. To be eligible for compensation through Work Share and the CARES funds, you must be eligible for at least $1 of unemployment compensation.

What if I am currently receiving money through an IRA distribution?

Money you receive through an IRA distribution could affect your eligibility to participate in the Work Share program. The money you receive will be deducted dollar for dollar against your weekly benefit amount for regular unemployment insurance.

What if I am receiving Social Security?

Receiving Social Security will not impact your eligibility to receive unemployment benefits under the Work Share program.

Do I get to choose when my hours will be reduced?

No, employees who are eligible to receive compensation through the Work Share program will be instructed on how their weekly schedule will be reduced. For most employees, this will mean they will not work on Fridays. If you have questions about how your schedule will be reduced, please contact your supervisor.

What are the work expectations while I am working a reduced schedule?

A reduced schedule means you are not expected to work during the time you have reduced hours. All eligible employees will have their schedules reduced by 20% (up to 40% depending on work calendar) per week. If you typically work 5 days a week, this means you will most likely not work on Fridays. Exempt employees are expected to report if they are unable to work their reduced schedule and have exceeded their scheduled hours.

How will working one day fewer a week affect my workload?

Your weekly hours will be reduced by 20% (up to 40% depending on work calendar), and your workload necessarily will be reduced. Please work with your supervisor on questions about how this reduction will affect your workload.

I am a part-time employee. What will my FTE be and what are my expectations?

Your FTE will remain the same, and your weekly hours will be reduced by 20% (to 40% depending on work calendar) of your regular schedule.  If your hours have fluctuated, Work Share uses a prior six-month average to determine your 20% (to 40% depending on work calendar) reduction.  Please work with your supervisor to determine what your weekly schedule will be while you are working a reduced schedule. 

What if I was on a leave of absence in the past 12 months? 

Past leaves will not affect your eligibility for compensation through the Work Share program.

What if I need to use a leave provision?

The Oregon unemployment department has adopted a temporary Rule in regards to leaves, Below is the FAQ from workshare:

The Employment Department is adopting a temporary rule, OAR 471-030-0036 (3)(f)(A), which will allow Work Share participants to use accrued leave when sick or taking care of someone who is sick. The Department is adopting this rule temporarily to make changes to the Unemployment Insurance Work Share program in response to COVID-19 as a result of Governor Kate Brown’s March 8, 2020, Declaration of Emergency (Executive Order No. 20-03). This rule will also allow missing a work opportunity due to jury duty.

For purposes of determining whether an employee can receive Work Share benefits in a week, if the employee uses approved, accrued leave during a week, those leave hours count as hours worked during the week. This does not apply to leave taken for vacation purposes. It does apply to leave taken for other reasons, including because the employee is sick, is caring for someone else who is sick, is on jury duty, or because of COVID-19 related reasons.

If an employee is scheduled to work 40 hours per week but needs to be out all week due to being sick or taking care of someone who is sick, she should use between 24-32hrs of accrued leave to meet the Work Share reduction in hours. If she takes more than 32 hours or under 24hrs she will not meet the reduction in hours of 20-40%.

This temporary rule is effective until further notice. If the Department decides to make this rule permanent beyond this date, you will be notified in the future. Attached you will find a copy of the receipt of filing with the Secretary of State’s Office. This document has the information from the Statement of Need and Justification Worksheet along with the rule language.

Your David Douglas Leave of Absence webpage. Information about short term, long term, and COVID-19 leaves. Click here.