I recently read this article on NPR.com about a new trend in corporate vacation policies; unlimited time off. Considering our recent need to cut health care benefits for our employees this feels like it might be a good way to replace that compensation. Could you please research this idea and give me your thoughts and opinions? We need to make sure that we address the following issues:

1.) Is this a benefit provided to all employees regardless of tenure or time with the company?
2.) How would they go about requesting time?
3.) How might this impact project deliverables?
4.) How would we handle any possible abuses of this policy?
5.) What about extended leave? Should there be a limit to how much time a person can take at one time?

I appreciate your input on this issue and would like to have decision made and rolled out to the employees by our next office meeting;

Email Assignment

Redefining the vacation policy.

Company Background

Digital Box is a mid-size tech firm specializing in data warehousing.  They currently have a staff of approximately 325 employees including, database engineers, system analysts, account managers, and sales associates.  The company is located in Addison, Texas and occupies four stories within a high rise, plus their actual data warehouse which is located in Plano.   Their main clients are accounting firms and health care facilities.

Situation

Due to the recession and the loss of a large client account Digital Box has had to revamp their benefits package and thus cut employee health care.  The coverage for each employee has dramatically decreased and the individual employee cost has risen.  Mr. Hoyt, the VP, is trying to find a way to provide new benefits to the employees that won't cost the company as much money but might improve staff morale.

Task

Write an email reply to Mr. Hoyt.  Answer his questions (if appropriate) and give him your professional opinion about what to do.

Details

You must use at least two outside sources in your email (suggestions include professional websites, research on casual dress and productivity in academic journals, etc) These sources should help you to respond to Mr. Hoyt's question.  You must cite these sources using the APA format. Remember that Mr. Hoyt is a Vice President and therefore your response should be brief and no more than one page.