Company to employees: 'Go work somewhere else for a while'

A British company’s alternative to laying off employees: helping them get temporary jobs with competitors.
Telecom firm BT has worked out an arrangement with other companies in “like-minded industries.” The deal: Would-be layoff victims can temporarily work for — and be paid by — those other employers.
Then, once BT’s ready for them, they’ll get their old jobs back.
The temporary re-assignments are being offered on a voluntary basis, but employees will be forced to make the move if the need arises, a BT spokesperson said. As for how long the workers will be employed by competitors, the company has only said it will be at least a month, according to the Times Online.
Supporters of the scheme say it will allow BT to cut costs while maintaining morale and making sure they have their best employees back once the economy picks up. But detractors say it will only encourage staff to move to other employers permanently.
What do you think? Is the loan of workers a smart way to avoid layoffs? Or a bad move for everyone involved? Give us your opinion in the comments section below.