The Wall Street Journal carried an article about companies who ask employees to volunteer for furloughs. They interviewed several advisors.
Bottom line: Check out the political implications before you volunteer. Will you gain an advantage? Will your colleagues resent you?
Frankly, I am opposed to asking workers to donate anything to a company. When you’re an employee, you are in an economic relationship. If you’re needed, they will pay you. If you’re not, they won’t.
When you volunteer for a furlough, you might be admitting you’re not needed, as some sources suggested. But I would add, “What does the company volunteer to do for you?” There should be some kind of a quid pro quo: those who agree to layoffs should get something in return,
