So Who Wants To Work For Free?
The Email
Dear Employees,
We value your continued efforts to make this company a success. Unfortunately, they’re not working and we’re losing money quicker than we can earn it. As you know, our number of passengers has been in decline for sometime, but with the economy and cheaper options available to out customers, well we just can’t afford to continue paying everyone. So, our proposal is that you all take one to four weeks of unpaid time, or you can come to work for free. Personally, we think the second option is a gallant effort and assure you the gesture will not go unnoticed. Please be advised, this is not mandatory; however, failure to find a reasonable solution to this problem could result in layoffs. We thank you for your attention to this matter and look forward to your answer soon. If it is any consolation, Mr. Walsh will also be taking a month off with no pay so that he may spend a little time with the family on his yacht in the south of France.
Kind regards,
British Airways
How Much Would You Do?
Ok, so the above email isn’t really what went around to the employees. But, I bet it was the first draft that Walsh’s executive assistant had a good laugh over before s/he deleted it and typed up what was really sent out. Either way, the point is that British Airways is asking their employees to take a month off without pay. From what I can gather from the details, that month is totally free to British Airways. No pay, no benefits, no 401(k) or whatever they do in England, no nothing. That’s a lot to put on your employee’s.
But, I will give them a little credit. I mean, they’re doing their best not to end up in bankruptcy and they’re trying not to lay folks off. That’s admirable. However, I have to say that it was sort of a slap in the face for them to tell the team that their CEO Willie Walsh would be taking a month off with no pay. I mean, he makes like four times more in a month what the average worker makes in a year. Sure he can take a month off and still afford to feed the family. Many of his employees don’t have that luxury.
To be fair, they’re not requiring that anyone take the time off, but it is widely understood that layoffs are eminent and this is what they’ve come up with to stall it. So, being in the same situation, what would you do? Is it fair of British Airways to ask their employees to do this? Is it even legal to ask them to work for no pay? The time off bit I get, but I know anytime we come into work here and don’t clock in, HR is all over us. I’m a little surprised that option is on the table.
At any rate, I’m somewhat torn on this. I mean, I’ve been wanting to take a month off for awhile and just go spend some time in Europe. But, this idyllic fantasy has always included a paycheck with it, which is why I haven’t done it since I haven’t accrued enough vacation time yet. Still, one month with no pay wouldn’t kill me. But, on the other hand, who’s to say that I’d still have a job at the end of the month? What assurances would I have that the company wouldn’t pack up shop and get the hell out of dodge?
For me, I’d say yes to the month off and start looking for another job. If I don’t come back, well that’s one less salary they have to worry about. If I do, then I would have just had a very nice vacation and would be well-rested. It’s a tricky situation, but there’s not much that can be done. Most employees would probably agree that working for free is ridiculous, so they’d rather take the month off. But, those without an emergency fund are going to be hurting.
What would you guys do? Take the month off, work for free, or tell them where to stick it? Ok, so you probably wouldn’t burn the bridge, but you know what I mean…discuss!
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I did work once free for totally selfish reasons. I was having difficulty finding a job in the last recession. So I found a non-profit that needed programming help, I offered my services for free, they were happy to oblige and that experience later helped me get another full-time job.
omg that is awesome! too bad it wasn’t the real email, but it def. caught my attention ;) i’d probably find a side gig to get into or try and blog full-time and see if that works! the only way i’d do it for free was if i was guaranteed to be the last to be fired…but even then it’s shady.
No, I would not do it.
Most of these people will barely make enough to pay their bills every month, even one month would tear into their savings if they had it and for what? Layoffs will happen anyways by the looks of it.
Though it’s easy for me to say, I work as a freelancer; so managing the money streams is part of my job
@BM That’s not selfish at all, you helped out somebody and in return you used the skills gained to find other work. Everybody walked away happy. Most freelancers pick up the occasional charity work for similar reasons.