The city of Lansing hopes to save more than a million dollars by participating in the Unemployment Insurance Agency Work Share program. The move addresses the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
About 500 city employees will work Monday through Thursday. From June 1st through July 25th, they’ll be paid by Work Share one day a week.
Mayor Andy Schor says employees will retain their health insurance and other benefits while also preserving their incomes. “We’ve been able to pass a balanced budget," Schor explains, "but we know that there will be continual challenges, and we need to find all the pennies in the couch that we can. This looks to save us about $1.5-million without affecting employees take home pay at all.”
Schor continues that with fewer work hours, some tasks might be delayed, stating “it’s a challenge having people work four days a week instead of five, but in terms of our employees, they will be held whole in terms of their pay and their compensation.”
Elected officials, police, fire and 54-A District Court Employees are not part of the Work Share program. Beyond emergency services, the city will be closed on Fridays in June and July.