Work-sharing is a way of maintaining employee stability during tough times, and the cost gets shared around.

According to the New York Times report:

"Under the program, known as work-sharing, employers reduce their workers’ weekly hours and pay, often by 20 or 40 percent, and then states make up some of the lost wages, usually half, from their unemployment funds."

Seventeen states have adopted the program.

It is an approach that could offer some hope to companies facing tough choices affecting a loyal workforce.