http://www.computerworld.com/home/news.nsf/all/9911022calY2K

Survey: Most California firms don't plan for extra Y2K weekend staff By Stacy Collett

Most California companies plan to give employees the New Year's weekend off despite the risk of Y2K date change problems, according to a survey by the Employers Group, a Los Angeles-based human resources organization. But the larger the company, the more likely key employees will have vacation time limited or be required to remain on call during the Y2K transition period.

Some 63% of businesses surveyed said they won't significantly alter their staffing schedules, and 77% said they wouldn't limit their employees' use of vacation or personal time because of Y2K concerns.

The survey, which queried 619 large and small California companies, also revealed that Y2K staff-preparedness plans were far more likely to be observed by organizations that serve the public, including financial firms, utilities, government agencies and hospitals.

"California's economy is dominated by small and midsize companies, and these firms are not changing their staffing schedules as the Y2K weekend approaches," said William R. Dahlman, president and CEO at Employers Group.

For larger companies, the most common Y2K staffing plan, reported by 24% of firms, involves requiring key employees to be on company premises between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2. The next most common practice, reported by 23% of firms, requires that employees be on call in December and January.

Only 2% of companies surveyed said they plan to add personnel as a preventive measure.

The survey also found that the majority of employees who are affected by scheduling changes for the Y2K transition period won't be bringing home bonus checks, said Juan P. Garcia, Employers Group research director. "Rather, the vast majority of these employees will receive compensatory time off," he said.

-- Helium (Heliumavid@yahoo.com), November 04, 1999

Answers

About two weeks ago there was an article listing many companies that would have extra people during the roll over. These included Boeing, 20th century insurance, Northrup, Countrywide home loans and many others. It seems that it all just depends how you want to spin it. It seems that the news media is just ripe with stories about potential problems, and then just days later a happy face story which is just the opposite.

-- smfdoc (smfdoc@aol.com), November 04, 1999.

They found out it only takes a minimal staff to lock the doors and turn off the flashlights.

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), November 04, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

...compensatory time off...

ehehehe -- in case of a 10, they don't want to be on the hook for that overtime

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), November 04, 1999.