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Damn, those must be some pricey perks. The same weekend that Microsoft hands employees their towels back (among other benefits that Microserfs lost years ago), Ballmer laid off over 1000 contract workers for a week. Yeah, that seems like a morale-building way to cut costs.

Among the perks enjoyed by those full-time employees not jobless this week: better food in the canteens, towels in shower rooms, laundry service, and investment plans.

Perks for those hitchhiking home for a week of no pay: at least they know where their towels are.

Microsoft tells contractors to take a week off [Inquirer]
Microsoft plans perks to retain staff [Financial Times]