Dell offers unpaid time off, voluntary separation

05.11.2008
Dell hopes it can better weather the economic storm by implementing a number of new cost-cutting measures, including an enhanced severance package for employees who voluntarily leave the company.

Within the next couple of weeks, employees will be able to apply for a voluntary separation plan under which they can leave the company and receive a severance package that is better than Dell's regular offer, said David Frink, a Dell spokesman.

In addition, Dell is offering employees voluntary unpaid time off from one to five days during the company's fourth quarter, which stretches from November through the end of January.

The company also plans to reduce the number of contractors and temporary employees on its books, but Frink declined to say by how many.

Dell has also put a short-term hold on global hiring, he said.

"It's based on being a prudent company and to better position Dell for competitiveness during a time of economic uncertainty," he said.