Many employers are having trouble getting employees to return to work. This is especially true if the schedule being offered is part-time. Why? Because furloughed and temporarily laid off nonexempt employees are likely earning more money on unemployment insurance (UI) benefits than they will earn by returning to work. This is due to the extra $600 in weekly unemployment payments provided by the federal CARES Act.

For those employers facing this issue, the Department of Labor's (DOL) new guidance may help.

The guidance clarifies that people collecting partial unemployment benefits due to a return to part-time work can still receive the additional $600 per week, unless they're making more money at the part-time job than they receive in unemployment benefits.

In other words, employees whose schedules and pay have been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for the extra $600 in weekly unemployment payments provided by the CARES Act.

The DOL guidance answers 18 questions about who qualifies for the enhanced $600/week unemployment benefits, how frequently payments must be made, and whether the benefits are subject to federal income tax withholding, among other topics. The complete guidance can be found here: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 15-20 Change 1.

Have questions about what to do when employees resist returning to work? Don't worry, we're here to help!

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