New York State Shared Work Program – Frequently Asked Questions for Furloughed Employees

The following questions and answers address many of the questions you may have regarding ABC Co’s furlough and the New York State Shared Work Program. To view each set of questions and answers you can either click one of the links below or click on the navigation arrows on the right. If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please send them to ABCCoHR@abcco.com.

New York State Shared Work Program

Payroll and Taxes

Benefits

Variable Compensation

Vacation

Will my vacation time be impacted by ABC Co’s NY-SWP?

No. Vacation will not be impacted. For example, if you have 15 vacation days in 2020, it will not change as a result of the NY-SWP. Unused vacation time for nonexempt employees will follow the normal year-end payout process.

If I take a vacation week when I’m on furlough, how many vacation days will I use?

The number of vacation days used depends on the number of days worked in the furlough week. So it will be either 2, 3 or 4 days for the “full week” off. Pay is still reduced, and you should still file for unemployment compensation for the furloughed day(s) under the Shared Work Program. Note that paid vacation time off does count as a “work day” in the eyes of Unemployment and, therefore, must be included in the number of days worked for reporting purposes.

How can unused 2020 vacation be carried over into 2021? Will this furlough last?

ABC Co expects all employees to regularly schedule vacation time and to plan to use it all within the year it is allotted. For nonexempt employees, unused vacation time is paid out at year end. For exempt employees, unused vacation time is not paid out at year end and should not be carried over. Please refer to the ABC Co Vacation Policy for further details.

Can I use vacation for the day(s) I am furloughed?

No. Furloughed days are unpaid. Bear in mind that there is no advantage to using vacation time for the days you are furloughed. In most cases, the combination of the partial pay you receive from ABC Co, combined with your New York State Unemployment benefit, and the CARES Act pandemic Unemployment Compensation, will be equal to—and in some cases—greater than your normal paycheck. The CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Compensation currently ends July 31, 2020.