Skip to content
  • FAQ
  • News
  • Contact Us
Logo
 
  • ABOUT THE ARCHIVES
  • ABOUT HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. HISTORY
    • HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
    • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
    • MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & SALES
  • LOOK INSIDE THE VAULT
  • EXPLORE THE VAULT
  • FAQ
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Home •
  • The HP Way: Corporate Culture •
  • Avoiding Layoffs: Nine-Day Fortnight

Avoiding Layoffs: Nine-Day Fortnight

PDF file thumbnail View PDF
Share this piece of history
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Date: 1970

In 1970, the entire electronics industry was in a severe recession. Hewlett-Packard was not immune, but where other companies were implementing layoffs, Hewlett-Packard implemented the famous “nine-day fortnight” program. Workers were given a 10 percent pay reduction paired with a 10 percent workload reduction. Employees would thus only work nine full days over the course of two workweeks — a “nine-day fortnight.” As Bill Hewlett explained in this company newsletter, “The traditional way of dealing with this would simply be to lay off ten percent of the people. But I don’t feel that would be a very fair way.” Instead, he sought a solution that approached the problem as a team effort, and the collective sacrifice allowed the company to weather the recession without layoffs.

Tags: 1970 • 1970s • Bill Hewlett • HP Way • Watt's Current

( C ) HPCA

 
The Tool Kit: Open Access to HP Tools
 
 
A Bonsai for the Boss
 
Related
Flora Hewlett: Bill’s Better Half
Tip-Top Terminal: The HP 2600A
Calculations: Bill and Dave Tutored on HP 70
POWERED BY
Heritage Werks
© 2023 Hewlett-Packard Company Archives. All rights reserved.
HP, Inc. Terms of Use and HPE Terms of Use

  • About the Archives
  • ABOUT HEWLETT-PACKARD HISTORY
    • HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
    • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
    • MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & SALES
  • Explore The Vault
Tell Us What You Think Icon
Tell Us What You'd Like To See?
Tell Us What You Think Icon
Tell Us What You'd Like To See?
  • About the Archives
  • ABOUT HEWLETT-PACKARD HISTORY
    • HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
    • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
    • MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & SALES
  • Explore The Vault
POWERED BY
Heritage Werks
© 2022 Hewlett-Packard Company Archives. All rights reserved.
HP, Inc. Terms of Use and HPE Terms of Use