Business - Briefly

Microsoft contract staff given 7 days off

SEATTLE: Microsoft Corp has told about 1,000 technology contract workers in the U.S., India and elsewhere to take seven days off the job, without Microsoft pay, in a cost-saving move, that came as the company unveiled a series of new perks for its internal staff. Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos said that Microsoft told vendors, who supply the contractors, that about 1,000 workers globally would not be needed this week. The vendors, whose workers do software development for Microsoft, also were told to schedule two other days off, Gellos said.

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