Yahoo! to close all its offices for a week: Report

According to the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo! is shutting down its offices, except for "essential functions," for about a week, as the company searches for new ways to cut costs during the recession.

SHUTDOWN: Yahoo! has decided to close all its offices as a cost-cutting measure during the holiday season. File Photo: AP

Internet firm Yahoo!’s offices worldwide will remain shut from December 25 through January 1 as part of a cost cutting measure, says a media report.

According to the Wall Street Journal , Yahoo! is shutting down its offices, except for “essential functions,” for about a week, as the company searches for new ways to cut costs during the recession.

Apart from Yahoo! others companies like Adobe and Apple would also close its offices during the holidays. Adobe and Apple would close its offices from December 24 to January 1.

The internet company’s move is its first mandatory worldwide shutdown, although it has encouraged U.S. employees to take the week off in the past, the report said citing Yahoo! spokeswoman Dana Lengkeek.

“Shutting down during a traditionally slow week allows employees to recharge, and the company to reduce operating costs for the week,” the daily quoted Ms. Lengkeek.

The report noted that U.S. employees can use vacation time or take unpaid leave for the days not covered in the holiday schedule, while employees from outside the U.S. would be paid as per the local laws.

Yahoo! has already laid off about 700 people in the spring as a cost cutting measure.