There was this Irishman who . . . .
Did you hear the one about the Irishman who wanted people to work for a month for nothing?
Why stop there Willie? You are not going far enough. In these difficult financial time, here are my suggestions for your consideration :-
1. Charge them for the privilege of coming into work.
2. Count off duty including weekends as part of staff’s leave.
3. Determine the staff who have contributed and sacrificed most for the company, and then $hit on them from the highest height, after all, they’re soft targets. This is not difficult to do as BA has accrued much experience of this in the past and have it down to a fine art.
4. Determine the staff who are most in financial dept – usually the lowest paid. Keep them as the low paid as they then are the ones least likely to rock the boat. Threaten them with a pay cut. No-one will rock the boat and support them. Pile the $hit onto them from the highest height. They are also soft targets.
5. Instead of using the savings to bolster the business, use it to bolster top level bonuses.
6. Include everyone. Don’t exclude the suppliers. Ask the suppliers - fuel, spares, catering, logistics, baggage handlers etc - to also supply for a month without charge. It’s in their interest too to keep the business going. I’m sure that they’ll offer an honest opinion.