Rapid Response 

 

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Rapid Response, a service offered by SOWIB, helps employers find alternatives to layoffs during times of economic uncertainty. We understand that layoffs can be a difficult decision for employers and offer the following options:

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• Work Share: Employers can reduce the hours of any number of employees 20-40% instead of laying them off, while allowing them to receive unemployment insurance benefits for their reduced hours (so they see minimal income loss).

• Incumbent Worker Training: Connect your existing employees to the education and training they need to fulfill the jobs you’re creating as they move out of the jobs you’re reducing.

• On-the-Job-Training (OJT): Employers can get reimbursed for up to half the wages of employees who are learning aspects their new positions.

• Connection to other business support grants and resources (depending upon availability) such as Paycheck Protection Plan Loans, local grants, etc.

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If layoffs are inevitable, SOWIB provides tailored presentations to the affected staff to help them navigate the resources available to them. The presentations cover various benefits and services including unemployment insurance benefits, health insurance options, career counseling, job search services, training and education opportunities/funding, rent/mortgage/housing assistance (as available), and other programs as applicable. These presentations are offered at no cost to either the employer or employees and are generally an hour to an hour and a half long. Our staff from Unemployment Insurance, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, Employment Services, and Skills and Training Partners will provide information and answer questions in a thoughtful and helpful manner.

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For more background, click: State of Oregon – Rapid Response and U.S. Department of Labor – Rapid Response

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Can You Avert Complete Layoff?

If you need to reduce payroll, but want to try to keep employees on the job, consider Work Share. Partial unemployment benefits may be paid to employees for the hours you need to cut.

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Helping Employees Through Layoff or Closure​

Employers anticipating closure or layoff of more than 50 workers during any 30-day period should:

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• Provide a WARN notice 60 days prior to layoff (Source: www.oregon.gov). For assistance, contact a member of the SOWIB Rapid Response Team, or visit the Oregon WARN website.

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• Request comprehensive “rapid response” help.  This will trigger a coordinated suite of services to help workers identify and utilize various programs they may need.  For information, contact Rena Langston, SOWIB Rapid Response Lead, at 844-532-6893 or rlangston@sowib.org

 

Unemployment Insurance 

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Reliably updated unemployment benefits information and “how-to’s” (eligibility, filing a claim, etc.) at https://unemployment.oregon.gov/ or call 877-345-3484.

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Rapid Response Contact:

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