Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Affected employee" means a specified employee, hired on a permanent basis, to which an approved shared work compensation plan applies.

(2) "Employers' association" means an association which is a party to a collective bargaining agreement under which there is a shared work compensation plan.

(3) "Shared work benefits" means the benefits payable to an affected employee under an approved shared work compensation plan as distinguished from the benefits otherwise payable under this title.

(4) "Shared work compensation plan" means a plan of an employer, or of an employers' association, under which there is a reduction in the number of hours worked by employees rather than layoffs.

(5) "Shared work employer" means an employer, who has at least two employees, and at least two employees are covered by a shared work compensation plan.

(6) "Unemployment compensation" means the benefits payable under this title other than shared work benefits and includes any amounts payable pursuant to an agreement under federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment.

(7) "Usual weekly hours of work" means the regular number of hours of work before the hours were reduced, not to exceed forty hours and not including overtime.

Intent—Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2021 c 2: See notes following RCW 50.04.323.

Conflict with federal requirements—2013 c 79: "If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state or the eligibility of employers in this state for federal unemployment tax credits, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and the finding or determination does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state or the granting of federal unemployment tax credits to employers in this state." [ 2013 c 79 § 5.]

Short title—Effective date—Conflict with federal requirements—2009 c 3: See notes following RCW 50.20.120.