Rochester Business Alliance joined New York State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith to promote the Shared Work Program on Feb. 12. The press conference was held at Applied Coatings Group, a Rochester business that successfully implements the program.

Companies are struggling in these difficult economic times and many have had to layoff employees. Rochester's unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent in December 2008. Rochester Business Alliance strongly endorses the Shared Work Program and encourages employers to consider this viable alternative to layoffs.

For more information, please visit the following:

• Fact Sheet on Shared Work Program
• Information on Program and Application
• Press Release