Just in case HLA powers that be may be monitoring this thread, following is extracted from 13 July Kiplinger Washington Report, a recognized source of forecasts for business management decisions since 1923.
"Managers are scrambling for creative ways to trim labor costs
without laying off staff. In '90s, many firms cut too much...paid later
when the economy rebounded and they had to scramble for good workers.
Strategies include: Asking employees to use up accrued vacation.
Temporary pay cuts. Long sabbaticals for managers at a fraction of pay.
Promising bonuses to anyone rehired within 18 months of being laid off."
full text at (http://special.kiplinger.com/xp6/Kiplinger/Kiplinger_Letter/CurrentLetter.xml)
Just some ideas guys without getting too radical.