Enjoy...oh, of course this only applies if you still have your job...

A memorandum to all employees of Reader's Digest, worldwide, from the company president:

April 8, 2009
To: All Employees
From: Mary Berner
Re: Thank You Initiative / Birthdays off
The Executive Committee and I wanted to do something for everyone across the world to express our thanks and appreciation for all of the sacrifices you have made and will continue to have to make to help us execute the necessary but painful Recession Plan.

To that end, we're launching what we're calling the “THANK YOU” Initiative, which focuses on coming up with as many (free, but meaningful) ways as possible to support our employees through this difficult time. For example, we are aggressively trying to negotiate employee discounts with retailers, service providers and product manufacturers across the world, and whatever we're able to provide will be announced in each region as it is created. (Any and all suggestions are welcome - and remember that the ideas need to be free.)

We know that none of what we'll be able to do will be in proportion to what you are doing for the Recession Plan, but hopefully it will be taken in the spirit in which it is intended - as a series of simple “thank-yous” for everything you are doing so that the company can get through the recession, and ultimately thrive when it is over.

So, to kick it off, the Executive Committee and I would like to announce that, effective immediately, every full-time employee across the world will get your birthday off (with pay).* Enjoy!

And, as always, please email me with questions and/or comments.

Sincerely,
Mary Berner