About the Work-Sharing Program
From: Employment and Social Development Canada
Tariffs: Special measures
From March 7, 2025 to March 6, 2026, there are special measures in response to the threat or potential realization of tariffs. More details can be found under ‘Special measures'.
Jasper and Bunibonibee Cree Nation wildfires: Special measures
From December 1, 2024 to August 3, 2025, there are special measures in response to the Jasper and Bunibonibee Cree wildfires in 2024. More details can be found under ‘Special measures’.
Work-Sharing is an agreement between employers, employees and the Government of Canada (Service Canada).
The Work-Sharing Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs, when there is a temporary decrease in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer.
This program provides Employment Insurance benefits to eligible employees who:
- agree to reduce their normal working hours, and
- share the available work while their employer recovers
The Program allows employers to:
- retain qualified and experienced workers, and
- avoid recruiting and training new employees
The Program allows employees to:
- keep their jobs, and
- maintain their work skills.
Key program features
Work-Sharing unit
A Work-Sharing unit is a group of employees with similar job duties who agree to reduce their hours of work over a specific period.
Equal sharing of work
All members of a Work-Sharing unit agree to reduce their hours of work by the same percentage and to share the available work.
Expected work reduction
A Work-Sharing unit must reduce its hours of work by at least 10% to 60%. The reduction hours can vary from week to week. The average reduction over the course of the agreement should remain within the range of 10% to 60%.
Agreement length and extension
A Work-Sharing agreement must be a minimum 6 consecutive weeks long and can be up to a maximum 26 consecutive weeks. Although the maximum duration of an initial agreement is 26 weeks, there is the possibility of accessing an extension of up to 12 weeks bringing the duration of the agreement to 38 weeks. Employers can end their Work-Sharing agreement at any time by contacting their regional Work-Sharing unit.
Contact us
Related links
- EI Improvements
- Employer obligations during an active Work-Sharing agreement
- Employees receiving Work-Sharing benefits during an active Work-Sharing agreement
- Work-Sharing Program statistics
Page details
- Date modified: