British Airways finds work for idle hands

British Airways execs are nothing if not straightforward, it seems. In this item the BBC published on Tuesday -- serving as a brilliant addendum to yesterday's PS post (Sharing and saving versus work-week shaving) -- BA just comes out and says it. The company is looking for people to take advantage of an amazing offer: Take up to a month's unpaid leave, OR, work at your desk for free, it's totally up to you!!

The airline sent the cost-cutting proposal to 30,000 of its employees via email. BA said such a measure was necessary because it's in the midst of a "fight for survival" after posting a record $570 million loss for the fiscal year (ended March 31). It didn't discuss any hoped-for cost savings or specific budget shortfalls, but did say that "hundreds" of workers jumped at the idea.

The phrase 'earning a living' has been radically reinvented.

--Posted by Todd Obolsky, Vault Staff Writer