FT.com / Companies / Banks – BBVA offers staff five years’ leave

Workforce and staffing issues have always been an interesting area to me.  The current WTF economic mess does spur creativity in those of us who like simple things  (like eating).  Courtesy of an NPR RSS feed I found my attention drawn to this article on www.ft.com describing a most creative workforce reduction idea.

BBVA is offering staff three options: first, leave of three to five
years for long-term employees who want to undertake “personal or professional projects”, with 30 per cent pay and healthcare on top;  second, a shorter working week with reduced pay; and third, special time off for up to two years for those who want to care for children or relatives or take postgraduate courses. All are voluntary and the company reserves the right to refuse those who apply.

I haven’t formulated an opinion yet.  But if you are one of the unfortunate few that has suffered a corporate mandated pay cut, this just might be the other shoe to drop.   I sent an email to John Hollon at www.workforce.com asking for his opinion.  Stay tuned.