Home >  W-2 Resource Page >   W-2 Fact Sheets  > Hiring a Trial Job Employee

Wisconsin Works (W-2)

Hiring a Wisconsin Works (W-2) Trial Job Employee

Recent statistics reveal that one challenge to Wisconsin’s booming economy is that employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain employees for entry-level positions, due to a shortage of available labor. Hiring a W-2 Trial Job employee offers an extremely cost-effective solution to this problem.

Your local W-2 agency, in cooperation with the local Job Center, can help identify individuals who want to work for your company, but may need some additional help when entering the work force, such as training or mentoring. The W-2 Trial Job program offers employers subsidies of up to $300 a month to offset these costs. 

Getting Started

The first step in hiring a W-2 Trial Job employee requires filling out a form, available from the nearest W-2 agency or Job Center, that takes just minutes to complete. This agreement between the employer and the placing agency covers standard contractual information regarding the employee, the employer, the position, and any financial arrangements. In addition to this form, employers will receive an explanation of the provisions of the employment agreement in greater detail. In general, W-2 Trial Job employees are entitled to the same employment rights and responsibilities as your other employees including:

• Nondiscrimination, Family Medical Leave, and Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Prevailing Minimum Wage Requirements.
• Unemployment Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Coverage.

Other Obligations Specific to W-2 Trial Job Employees

• W-2 Trial Job employees must be paid wages comparable to employees in similar positions in the company/agency are paid.
• Placing agencies may examine W-2 Trial Job employee records for program purposes.
• Notification of termination of a W-2 Trial Job employee must be made within one working day.
• A W-2 Trial Job employee may not replace a currently employed worker fully or in part.
• Information on Earned Income Credit (EIC) must be made available to the employee.
• Employers must make a good-faith effort to retain the employee after the subsidy has ended.

Subsidy Payments

• Trial Job subsidy payments are based on the number of hours the employee works and/or any agreements reached between the employer and a W-2 Trial Job placement specialist.
• Subsidy payments may not exceed $300 per month for a full-time employee.
• If the subsidy is for less than full-time work, or if the employee fails to work the full amount of time required of a full-time position, the subsidy payment will be reduced by a percentage commensurate with the reduction in hours worked.
• If the employee becomes ineligible for W-2 services, the subsidy will no longer apply.
• Subsidy payments will be issued monthly to an employer no later than 30 days from the specific month in which the wages were paid.
• Final invoices for a Trial Job participant must be submitted within 30 days after the close of that participant’s contract period.

For the Job Center Nearest You, Call (Toll Free):  1-888-258-9966 or click here for a list of Job Centers. 

DES-10998-P (R. 05/99)