Mandatory Time Off? - Need advice quickly!

Kymm · February 2003

We are a California employer with approx. 120 employees in this facility.
We are facing layoffs but would like to try something else first. Is there any problem with forcing employees to take one week off - they would have the option of being paid thru their PTO time or they could take it off without pay.
We are looking at maybe 50 - 60 employees doing this - the others would continue to work as they are in "critical" positions. Need to make a decision quickly, so would welcome any input ASAP! Thanks.

Leslie · February 2003

I don't see why you couldn't - plants do it all the time over the holidays. You just need some good PR to explain what you're trying to accomplish.

Moria · February 2003

We did this recently as well, same reasons. Did a lot of PR, in some respects it may have made us a stronger team as most everyone felt that they would rather share the deficit then one person getting the lay off notice. Good Luck!

Shawn · February 2003

If you are going to do it, then require everyone to do it. Include yourself and your CEO. Nothing shows legitimacy more than being part of the solution.

RoseF · February 2003

Wait a minute , Shawn, if everyone takes the suggested week off, who will stay to try to keep the boat afloat over that week? Apparently a skeleton crew will be able to handle things while at the same time lightening the load, and then, when it is "safe" everyone can get back on the boat. This is a drastic solution, to be sure, but obviously one that is designed to be short term, gaining long term results that will ensure everyone will have a solid place of employment in the end.

Kymm · February 2003

Thanks, everyone.. and Rose, you are correct...we have to keep the plant running with a skeleton crew (only "critical" positions will work). Something else did come up, though... an employee asked that being we were "making them" take a week off, can they file for unemployment that week? Anyone know the answer?

Sunny · February 2003

>Thanks, everyone.. and Rose, you are correct...we have to keep the
>plant running with a skeleton crew (only "critical" positions will
>work). Something else did come up, though... an employee asked that
>being we were "making them" take a week off, can they file for
>unemployment that week? Anyone know the answer?

Kym: The answer depends on your state law - but since even Alabama allows employees to file for unemployment if they are off a week without pay due to a (yearly maintenance) shutdown I'd be willing to be that California would permit it as well. We make our employees save vacation for "shutdown" but there are always some who haven't earned any yet and they have successfully filed for unemployment.

LindaS · February 2003

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Don't know about CA but in Wisconsin if the employee is ready and available for work and work is not available, they are eligible for unemployment. I worked for a company that had a mandatory shutdown over Thanksgiving and since it was union, it was written into the contact that employees with over one week of vacation had to use it for that week. Employees with less time were eligible for unemployment.

njjel · February 2003

In New Jersey they could file for unemployment and be eligible if they had enough work weeks to their credit.

sherrymiller · February 2003

Kymm, You might also check into the WARN act - it has to do with Mass Layoff and the amount of time an employer has to give notice of the layoffs. Sorry I don't have the exact percentage of layoffs or how much notice to be given. One more thing to think about.

Mandatory Time Off? - Need advice quickly!

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