Furlough Trend Spreads Beyond California

Posted by Genna Cockerham Mar 10, 2009

This week I’ve been doing research online about furloughs. When I started, I knew there had been furloughs in California and Maryland. What I didn’t know was how common furloughs are becoming for government workers and business employees.

Furloughs Not Just for Maryland and California

While the California furloughs might be the ones that have gotten the most publicity, California is not the only state that is using furloughs to meet budget shortfalls. Maryland government employees were told to take at least two days of unpaid leave: The number of off days was determined by salary. Utah, Ohio and New Jersey may be joining the ranks of states that are using furloughs. For more information on this phenomenon, read States Look to Furlough Government Workers.

University Staff Go on Furlough

It’s not just government employees who are being told to take leave without pay. Faced with budget shortfalls, several universities are turning to furloughs to cut costs. Utah State University, Arizona State University, Clemson University and John Carroll University are a few of the higher-education institutions that are using furloughs in an attempt to prevent layoffs.

Employees Told to Take Leave Without Pay

Businesses also plan to furlough workers to cut costs. Gannett, the Port of Seattle, the New York Jets and others have either told workers to take unpaid leave or negotiated with unions for voluntary furloughs. To learn more about the increasing numbers of universities and businesses using furloughs, read Businesses Look to Furloughs to Cut Costs.

How to Spend Furlough Days?

While some employees may choose to use furloughs for vacations, others will find even one day without pay can cause financial problems. Instead of soothing nerves with retail therapy and adding needless spending to a day without pay, try Cheap and Free Ways to Spend Furlough Days.

Reduce Stress on Days Off Without Pay

Those who find the current economic situation and unpaid leave depressing may find they need some ways to reduce stress. Put off days to good use by focusing on good health and relations. Read How to Reduce Stress on Furlough Days to find ideas for relaxing and healthy ways to spend furlough days.

Support Schools on Off Days

Many people choose to use furlough days to get caught up with family and give back to the community. Parents may want to support local schools by volunteering. Community members without children in the schools can also use their individual skill sets to benefit local schools. For ideas on how to get involved in local schools and give back to the community, read Are You on Furlough? Support Schools on Off Days.

As the trend to furlough workers to cut costs and prevent layoffs becomes more common, greater numbers of employees will find themselves taking leave without pay. Put time off to good use without breaking the bank by using cheap and free ideas for how to spend furlough days.