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Mark Zandi an economist with Moody's Economy.com, in his October, 2009 report, Fiscal Policy Roadmap (click here) promotes the expansion of state work share programs among the list of policy responses to the jobs crisis.

Mr. Zandi writes, "Like the temporary extension of unemployment insurance benefits, work share has a large bang for the buck by providing financial help to distressed workers who are likely to quickly spend any aid they receive."

Mr. Zandi notes "work share's bang for the buck is even larger than that of UI benefits, because the reduction in unemployment lessens both the pecuniary and psychological cost of layoffs. It is particularly helpful for businesses that expect workforce reductions to be temporary and work share allows these firms to avoid both severance costs and costs associated with rehiring and training."