Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy
The economy ebbs and flows in cycles. During good times, businesses usually can afford to hire workers, the unemployment rate goes down and incomes go up. But during poor economic times, businesses are often forced to lay off workers.
A bill that passed out of the Ohio House makes this situation a little easier for both families and employers by offering an alternative method for dealing with a down economy. Known as “SharedWork Ohio,” which was included in House Bill 37, rather than an employee being laid off, he or she can instead continue working with reduced hours. That employee can then collect unemployment benefits to make up the difference for the hours that were cut.
For example, if a man working 40 hours a week gets his hours cut back to 25 hours a week, he will continue earning a salary for the hours worked and collect unemployment for the remaining 15.
Shared work policies have already been implemented in 25 other states, and by adding Ohio to that list we will help make our state more competitive for workers, businesses and families. The counties of the 84th House District traditionally have some of the lowest unemployment rates in Ohio, with Mercer County frequently being the lowest.
But despite those impressive numbers, there are still several industries that provide seasonal jobs. Finding ways to give these industries more flexibility will help preserve Ohio jobs and keep the state’s unemployment rate low.
I was excited to support this policy because it will have a positive impact on the future of Ohio. Businesses will be able to retain a lot of quality, skilled workers even during slow times. And just as importantly, the bill will benefit families because mom and dad will still have the opportunity to go to work, provide for their loved ones and exhibit the importance of hard work to their children.
It is no mystery to me why 25 other states have already put in place similar policies, and I look forward to this bill’s passage in the Senate and for Governor Kasich to sign his name to it.
I appreciate hearing from you regarding the most important issues of the day. Please inform me of your opinion on current topics by completing a survey at tinyurl.com/buchyjune. Thank you for your continued communication. Your feedback helps guide the legislative priorities.
A bill that passed out of the Ohio House makes this situation a little easier for both families and employers by offering an alternative method for dealing with a down economy. Known as “SharedWork Ohio,” which was included in House Bill 37, rather than an employee being laid off, he or she can instead continue working with reduced hours. That employee can then collect unemployment benefits to make up the difference for the hours that were cut.
For example, if a man working 40 hours a week gets his hours cut back to 25 hours a week, he will continue earning a salary for the hours worked and collect unemployment for the remaining 15.
Shared work policies have already been implemented in 25 other states, and by adding Ohio to that list we will help make our state more competitive for workers, businesses and families. The counties of the 84th House District traditionally have some of the lowest unemployment rates in Ohio, with Mercer County frequently being the lowest.
But despite those impressive numbers, there are still several industries that provide seasonal jobs. Finding ways to give these industries more flexibility will help preserve Ohio jobs and keep the state’s unemployment rate low.
I was excited to support this policy because it will have a positive impact on the future of Ohio. Businesses will be able to retain a lot of quality, skilled workers even during slow times. And just as importantly, the bill will benefit families because mom and dad will still have the opportunity to go to work, provide for their loved ones and exhibit the importance of hard work to their children.
It is no mystery to me why 25 other states have already put in place similar policies, and I look forward to this bill’s passage in the Senate and for Governor Kasich to sign his name to it.
I appreciate hearing from you regarding the most important issues of the day. Please inform me of your opinion on current topics by completing a survey at tinyurl.com/buchyjune. Thank you for your continued communication. Your feedback helps guide the legislative priorities.