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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 18

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 96 Chapter 18 WV WORKS Activities/Requirements

• WV WORKS placements must not cause a relocation of employees from one geographical area to another. • The regular employees at a work site must be informed that WV WORKS placements may not cause any dislocation and that they may file a grievance if they feel their job has been adversely affected by WV WORKS placements. See Appendices A and B. • WV WORKS placements must not be made at job sites involved in any abnormal labor condition, such as a strike or lockout. • Subsidized employment placements must not provide more than 50% of the employer’s labor force. 18.10.2.B Employment Standards Subsidized employment must meet the employment standards listed below. When the subsidized employment does not meet all of the criteria, the participant has good cause for refusing or failing to take action to secure the position. • The employer must not be in violation of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act or any other law governing the equal treatment of employees in the workplace. • The employment must not impair existing contracts for service or collective bargaining. • The starting wage must be at or above the applicable state or federal minimum wage. • A participant must receive the same benefits as a non-subsidized employee who performs similar work. 18.10.2.C Employment Subsidy Program The Employment Subsidy Program (ESP) is a statewide subsidized employment placement program. Local WV WORKS staff or Regional Job Developers refer work-ready WV WORKS participants to employers for placement in full-time private or public subsidized employment positions. Priority is to be given to those WV WORKS participants who require necessary work experience and job skills in order to enter unsubsidized employment. ESP placements will be for up to six months. Reimbursement will be 100% of the individual’s wage.