According to an article in The Dallas Morning News, across the country thousands of workers at struggling universities, factories, hospitals and even state facilities are being laid off without pay. The state of Maryland is temporarily laying off 67,000 of its 80,000 employees in an effort to save $34 million in staffing costs.
As sales drop, private industry is temporarily laying off workers. All of the workers at RV maker Winnebago Industries Inc. will take an unpaid week off during the first quarter of 2009. 3M Co. and Dell add themselves to the list of companies asking employees to take unpaid “vacation” days. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 12 percent of the 10.3 million unemployed workers in November were unemployed because of temporary layoffs.
These “temporary layoffs” are just the beginning of desperate attempts by businesses to save money AND salvage their business without losing workers. But unfortunately many workers are already stretched thin and one missed paycheck could mean the difference between having a home and facing foreclosure .
If you’re experiencing “temporary layoffs” at your company or hear rumors of “temporary layoffs” contact a bankruptcy attorney today to find out how you can protect your assets in the case of permanent layoffs and/or reduced income.