Most companies have had to enforce furlough days in an effort to try and regain financial losses and avoid further layoffs. In an article released by the New York Times, employees are finding that they are working just as hard on their mandated days off as they are during regular work days. With many companies having already undergone at least one round of layoffs employees are finding it difficult to take the mandatory time off as they are so busy compensating for job loss that they just don’t have time.

The article in the New York Times went on to note, “American workers are finding themselves at a new frontier, and the rules are being written on the fly. Some companies have strict policies forbidding work during furloughs, or close down for days at a time. Others simply tell workers, however unrealistically, to squeeze in furlough time when they can.” In California, more than 200,000 state employees are supposed to have two furlough days each month. According to Roland Becht, who works at the California Department of Motor Vehicles, “I’ve tried to schedule furlough time and was denied because we’re short staffed.” Employees were optimistic at the idea of furlough days as it allowed them to maintain employment and provided additional time off; however, employees are finding themselves under more stress and generally unhappier as they take on additional job duties to compensate. Wendy Roberson, a California State employee said, “I really try hard not to even check my e-mail on furlough days. That would be cheating myself, because I’m not getting paid to work.”