11601In this grave economic condition, where Microsoft, google and Motorola have taken a no-mercy approach to cut cost by laying people off in thousands, Nokia has been very pleasant to ask employees to retire by themselves. In other words, lay yourself off. Nokia isn’t publicly specifying terms of the voluntary layoff program, except to say that these will vary according to local practices and legislation. The package might be viewed as sort of a golden parachute though, in the sense that it will undoubtedly provide some sort of financial compensation and/or benefits when an employee exits the company.

Believe it or not, it is kindda like FCFS basis. First come and first serve. Interested Nokia employees will need to hurry to sign up. After Nokia starts taking applications on March 1, the Voluntary Resignation Package will remain open only until 1,000 workers have applied, closing at the latest on May 31, 2009.

Just imagine the situation. Someday employees will have to queue up to sign up a VR form that too as if it has a discount offer which starts and ends by a propsed date! Indeed grand. But at least, its better amongst the worse.

Oh another news, if you are a very boring person and cash in your leaves and work the whole year, then Nokia has bad news. It says, a leave should be taken as a leave. Nothing else. Point taken.