Providence sets furloughs for 500 city workers

PROVIDENCE — Starting this week, about 500 city staff members will be furloughed 1 or 2 days each week through Sept. 5, according to Patricia Socarras, press secretary for Mayor Jorge Elorza.

The city is participating in the state Department of Labor and Training’s WorkShare program, which allows employers to reduce their employees’ work hours while retaining the employees’ eligibility to receive a portion of their regular unemployment benefits to compensate for lost wages.

Both union and non-union employees will be affected, according to Socarras.

The city will coordinate payments through the WorkShare program, meaning that staff will not be required to apply for unemployment benefits individually, Socarras wrote. Staff members will also continue to receive their city benefits.

“Participating in work-share will allow the city to avoid more severe measures due to anticipated decreased revenue in this and next fiscal year,” Socarras wrote.

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