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Business
Downturns: Alternatives to Employee Layoffs
Donate employee time to the
Institute for Affordable Transportation on a
temporary basis
How
do Companies Benefit?
Companies maintain their labor
pool at 65% of cost instead of laying off its union
workforce (at 95% of cost). This is an good
option if the company believes that the downturn is
temporary, or if they know that the employees will
again be needed within 8 months.
The tax-deductible contribution
could indirectly help the company create new markets
for their products. Besides the tax-deduction, the
company has the option to retain an employee with a
expanded skill-set (and a global / complete vehicle
perspective). Furthermore, this goodwill endeavor
can attract national and sometimes international
publicity due to the focus on helping the less
fortunate in developing countries. Finally, if
the simple vehicle market takes off, the automotive
supplier gains from selling “off-the-shelf”
components to the “simple vehicle” assemblers.
What
do the “donated” employees do? This
depends on their skills. Some examples follow:
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Skilled Trades: assemble
prototypes, weld frames, machine parts
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Engineers: create CAD
drawings / design prototypes / design factory
layout
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Commercial: market
research, write grants (fundraising), obtain
publicity
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All: project
supervision, internet research, web page
development, book-keeping
How
do Employees Benefit?
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Learn about developing
countries (people, culture, geography, climate)
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Obtain a complete vehicle
perspective
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Enjoy the job satisfaction
that accompanies helping the less fortunate
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Enjoy the challenge of doing
something new and unprecedented
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Develop a global outlook
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Work in an entrepreneurial
environment
What
are the Terms?
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Employees (who are donated)
work at IAT for a minimum period of 6 weeks.
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Company helps IAT locate
available space in their local area
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Employees can use company
equipment / resources when available (i.e. CAD
stations, test equipment)
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IAT has the right to refuse or
return employees to the donor company at any
time
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