Short-Time Work: An Alternative to Ad Hoc Legislation for Saving Employment During Economic Crises
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Date
2022-05-04
Authors
Vida, Emily
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon School of Law
Abstract
Readers hardly need to be reminded of how the sudden onset of COVID-19 in early 2020 turned the world upside down. Countries closed their borders. Toilet paper became scarce. And hospitals in population-dense areas operated at capacity. The year 2020 also saw devastating wildfires in California and Oregon, an unprecedented election cycle, and mass protests. It was a veritable dumpster fire of a year. Besides worrying about contracting the virus, seeing loved ones die, and suffering from social isolation, many workers in the United States also had to cope with losing their jobs due to the shuttering of businesses. This Comment argues that the United States should adopt an Short-Time-Work (STW) program at the federal level instead of passing ad hoc legislation as economic crises arise. Permanent federal STW legislation would allow the government to respond more quickly to economic crises, save jobs, and maintain employment relationships, signaling to employees that they are not disposable.
Description
28 pages
Keywords
Employment law, COVID-19, Unemployment, International law
Citation
23 Or. Rev. Int'l L. 249