Here is a little ditty in follow-up to some changes at work for 2009:

All [redacted] US
Employees:

The purpose of this
email is to clarify information regarding the (2) Unpaid Days Off that [redacted] spoke of in his presentation, on Jan 8^th.   The two days selected are
May 22, 2009 and December 23, 2009.  This is a cost savings initiative for the
company that we felt all employees will have a stake in and one that we have
determined is needed for 2009.    

Many employees sent
emails asking how we would handle the (2) Unpaid Days.  The majority of the
emails we received from employees stated that they understood the reasons behind
the Unpaid Days.  Their concern on the matter centered around how it would be
handled administratively.  Many felt that they preferred to have their pay
reduced equally for the remaining pay periods in 2009.  This would reduce the
financial impact of having the reduction happening in only two pay periods.   We
have decided that this is the best way to go.

The net result is that
all employees will see a separate line item on their pay statements from
February 15^th – December 31^st.  The line item will be
listed as UPD (Unpaid Days Off).  This reduction amount will be equivalent to
the dollar amount for the two unpaid days, divided by the remaining (22) pay
periods.  This is not what is typically considered a true reduction in pay, as a
reduction in pay would present a lower base salary, AND you would still be
required to work those (2) days. 

Thank you for your
understanding and your dedication as we navigate through these challenging
economic times.   

Best Regards,
[redacted]
Human Resources Director

Now I like that they are doing this, don't get me wrong. What I object to is the typical corporate spin-control to continue to defend this as not a pay cut. Sorry but I'll take the red pill over the blue pill, thank you very much.