Freudenberg-NOK To Extend Holidays To Avoid Layoffs.(Brief Article)

In response to the move to layoff employees during the current soft auto parts market, Freudenberg-NOK is implementing a unique plan to avoid widespread reduction of workers, the company said. The company is planning to protect jobs by extending the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with six days of unpaid vacation for its employees.

"Although layoffs are often the preferred action of most companies, Freudenberg-NOK continues to seek innovative approaches to manage through the ongoing economic downturn and to retain our talented workforce," said Sharon S. Wenzl, Freudenberg-NOK vice president of corporate relations. "With the priority of protecting jobs, we will close all of our facilities during the weeks of Nov. 19 and Dec. 24 -- giving every employee two paid holidays and three extra unpaid days off during each of those two weeks."

"We've asked all employees to make a small, shared sacrifice to help retain all of our workers, and they're responding favorably," Wenzl said. She said the company announced its intention now, so that employees and customers can plan accordingly for the holiday shutdowns. The shutdown involves all salaried and hourly employees and applies to all of the company's U.S. facilities.

Plymouth, Mich.-based Freudenberg-NOK is part of the Freudenberg and NOK Group Companies, which have total annual sales of nearly $7 billion.

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