Applicant Guide
F. Assessment and Approval Process
Applications will be assessed in terms of both eligibility and assessment criteria.
i. Review for Eligibility
An application must meet all eligibility criteria to qualify for assessment. To be considered eligible, an application must be complete (with all required supporting documentation) and must be signed by the authorized employer, union(s) and/or employee representative(s). In addition, the application must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in section C of this guide.
ii. Assessment of the Application
The Service Canada Program Officer will review the application to ensure that it meets program criteria and that all the necessary information has been provided. The Program Officer will also review and validate the statements made by the employer. The recovery plan will be assessed within the context of the business itself, the needs of the community in which the business operates, and the conditions within the industry at the time of application.
The Program Officer will conduct a cost analysis (comparing the cost related to the temporary layoffs and the cost of the proposed Work-Sharing agreement) to establish the cost difference/effectiveness of recommending or not recommending a Work-Sharing application. As well, the Program Officer will consider a social/community impact assessment to determine the overall impact of the business on the community.
In order to recommend the application for approval, the Program Officer must conclude that Work-Sharing is the appropriate program vehicle to address the work reduction and that there is a reasonable expectation (based on a realistic plan of action by the employer) that all members of the Work-Sharing unit(s) will return to normal working hours by the end of the agreement.
iii. Approval
Applications are assessed and approved by Service Canada. Service Canada officials will inform you of the status of your application. All decisions on applications, whether rejected or approved, will be confirmed in writing.
Decisions regarding the assessment of applications are final. There is no appeal process for the rejection of a Work-Sharing application.