Employment Connection Definitions

Unsubsidized Employment

Unsubsidized employment is the Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activity that allows a client to earn wages while continuing to develop job skills and gain work experience for an unlimited period of time.

Employers who hire clients into unsubsidized employment positions are not reimbursed for wages earned by the client. Unsubsidized employment is Nonexempt income.

Subsidized Employment

Subsidized employment is the WTW activity that allows a client to earn wages while developing job skills and work experience for a limited period of time. Employers who hire clients into subsidized employment positions are reimbursed for wages earned by the client. Subsidized employment is Nonexempt income.

Paid Work Experience (PWEX)

PWEX EC Works is a WTW activity in the public or non-profit sector that helps provide new basic job skills and/or enhances existing job skills in an occupation related to the client's experience. Clients are not subject to the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements that unpaid WEX and Community Service clients must follow. The County of Santa Clara pays the earned wages directly to the client and is the employer of record for PWEX positions. PWEX is Nonexempt income.

Subsidized College Work Study

Subsidized College Work Study (Sub. College Work Study) is the WTW activity that allows a client to earn wages while attending a community college. Income earned from Subsidized College Work Study is exempt.

Safety Net

A Safety Net individual is a client who has been discontinued from the CalWORKs Assistance Unit (AU) due to timing out from his or her CalWORKs 60-month time on aid (TOA) whose children are still being aided. In a two parent family, where one parent is aided, the timed-out parent can participate in subsidized employment.

Worksite Sponsor

The worksite sponsor is the organization that has agreed to sponsor the client in either a paid/unpaid WEX or Community Service assignment. The worksite sponsor is an organization or program that is in the public or private non-profit sector. The worksite sponsor has agreed to the conditions and terms of the assignment as set forth by the County or the Adult Education or Community College and Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The “EC Works Worksite Request” (SCD 1790) is completed by the sponsoring organization and Employment Connection Center staff.

For Profit Employer

A “for profit” employer is a business or other organization initiated or operated for the purpose of making a profit. Most companies considered to be businesses are “for profit” organizations. Some examples of “for profit” businesses are: airlines, retail stores, restaurants, insurance companies, technology companies, and banks. The primary goal of “for profit” organizations is to generate income for the company and its investors.

Non-Profit Employer

To be classified as a non-profit employer, an organization has to register as a nonprofit and be approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to hold tax exempt status. Examples of non-profit employers include: government agencies (city, county, state, federal) charities, churches and foundations. Non-profit organizations usually focus on a goal such as helping the community.

Unsuitable Placements

Job placements must be appropriate considering the goal of developing marketable skills, which lead to self-sufficiency. The placements must not lead to conflict of interest or potentially violate labor laws. To support suitable employment efforts, the county will not place clients into the following employment types:

• Commission-based employment
• Start-up operations
• Home-based operations
• Paid per piece work (i.e., paid $/unit of work - stuffing envelopes, units assembled, phone calls made, petitions signed, etc.)
• Self-Employment
• Businesses in which participant must purchase goods or services, in order to sell to customers
• WTW Plan development for PWEX and Unpaid WEX where the worksite/employer is the same
• Job sites where the participant and supervisor have a direct financial relationship outside of the EC Works placement.

Example: EC Works client is a business partner with the employer they wish to work for.

Exceptions to the above categories may be granted by a SSPM on a case-by-case basis, based on client needs and employment plan. A case conference may be required prior to making this determination.