Michigan gets $2.8M to help prevent job layoffs

DETROIT (AP) - Michigan is getting more than $2.8 million in federal funding to support implementation and promotion of a program to offer an alternative to layoffs. Congressman John Conyers of Michigan says in a statement that the funding from the U.S. Department of Labor helps support a "win for all," with workers keeping health and retirement benefits while employers retain skilled workers that are integral to their businesses. The short-time compensation program allows employers to reduce employees' hours as an alternative to layoffs during an economic downturn. Workers have their wages supplemented by a percentage of potential weekly unemployment compensation. States have until the end of the year to apply for federal resources to implement the program. Published: Mon, Dec 15, 2014