Please see COVID-19 Information for Businesses for more information.
The Business Response Team can be contacted at:
Employee Lay-offs and Rapid Response
Canada-Saskatchewan Rapid Response Teams are a partnership between the Labour Market Services Branch (LMS), Employer Services Branch (ESB) of the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, and Service Canada. Rapid Response Teams provide support services for businesses and workers affected by production slowdowns or layoffs. Depending on the exact nature of the layoff, information may be provided on the following topics:
- General information about the federal Work-Sharing Program to help maintain workers during a temporary slowdown;
- A description of the Employment Insurance (EI) process for workers;
- Training plan development for workers to gain skills and boost productivity;
- Advice about helping workers prepare for career transitions;
- Employment standards advice; and
- Access to SaskJobs.ca, for applying to jobs, and/or posting job ads for free.
Rapid Response services are coordinated through the Employer Services Branch (ESB) of the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT):
- ESB provides customized Concierge Services for Employers to attract, develop and retain employees, including assistance for employers to navigate through Government of Saskatchewan programs and services and Government of Canada programs and services.
Reducing Work Hours of Employees and the Work-Sharing Program
The federal Work-Sharing (WS) Program is an adjustment program provided by Service Canada of the Government of Canada designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The WS program provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.
Work-Sharing is a three-party agreement involving employers, employees and Service Canada. Employees on a Work-Sharing agreement must agree to a reduced schedule of work and to share the available work over a specified period of time. For more information, please see the Work-Sharing Program.
For additional assistance, please contact the Employer Services Branch of the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training at 306-787-7428 or employerservices@gov.sk.ca.