Orlando partner Kevin Shaughnessy, who represents national and international companies in all facets of labor and employment law, was quoted in a March 15, 2009, Naples Daily News article, "Naples Considering Furloughs for its Employees."
According to the article, the city of Naples, Florida, is considering an across the board furlough plan in fiscal 2010 as a way to reduce the more than $2 million deficit the city is facing next year. A furlough is an unpaid day off, and has become common in both the private and public sector as a way to reduce costs without having to lay off employees, said Shaughnessy. He also said "one size doesn't fit all" when it comes to deciding who is furloughed and how long that furlough would be either. Organizations—whether it be in the private or public sector—need to take a close look at what happens when salaried employees are furloughed. Shaughnessy said week-long furloughs are preferable in the case of salaried employees, while hourly employees are generally given the ability to choose to use their furloughs over a period of time.