Page 149

140

(C.43:21-20.3 et seq.), and establish a shared work program to make short-time benefits available to those employees; and

e. Permit, upon the approval of a shared work program, of the payment of benefits retroactively back to the time that the shared work application was submitted and commenced in a manner consistent with the requirements of P.L.2011, c.154 (C.43:21-20.3 et seq.).

L.2020, c.57, s.5.

43:21-20.14. Contributions to system, fund

6. A public employee enrolled in a State-administered retirement system or fund, and the employer of that employee, shall be required to make contributions to the system or fund during the period that the employee is participating in a shared work program pursuant to P.L.2011, c.154 (C.43:21-20.3 et seq.). The contributions shall be based on the base salary or compensation, as defined by the retirement system or fund, that would have been paid to the employee if the employee had not been participating in a shared work program. No deduction for the payment of such contributions shall be made from the unemployment compensation or short-time compensation benefits of the employee. The employee's service credit as a member of the system or fund shall include the period during which the employee participated in a shared work program. For all purposes under the retirement system or fund, the period during which the employee participated in a shared work program and the base salary or compensation upon which contributions were made during such period shall be recognized by the retirement system or fund. The seniority rights and health benefits coverage of an employee who participates in a shared work program shall continue and shall not be adversely affected by participation. The employer shall enter into a written agreement with any collective bargaining agent representing the employees regarding the terms of the program, including terms regarding attendance in training programs while receiving short-time benefits, and provide certification, and the copy, of the agreement to the division as required by P.L.2011, c.154 (C.43:21-20.3 et seq.). This section shall not be construed to conflict with any applicable provisions of federal law.

L.2020, c.57, s.6.

43:21-20.15. Report on all shared work programs on website

7. a. The division shall, not later than March 31, 2021, issue, make public on the website of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and submit to the Governor and Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), a report on all shared work programs approved during calendar year 2020 pursuant to P.L.2011, c.154 (C.43:21-20.3 et seq.) and the impact of federal financing of those programs pursuant to section 2108 of the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act," Pub. Law 116-136 and of federal financing pursuant to section 2104 of that act of emergency increases in unemployment benefits for participants in approved shared work programs.