If Iraqi dictator Saddem Hussein was not worried about his situation at the end of last week, he has reason to shake in his Army boots now – IBM has followed Uncle Sam in preparing for hostilities in the Gulf by making an announcement that in times of emergency – and it classifies the Arab hostage-taker’s actions as such – IBM employees are entitled to a temporary military leave of absence, which is a part of the IBM Military Leave Benefits Plan – it is also a rule of law in the US. Those IBM employees called up will receive temporary leave payments for 30 days or more if their military pay is less than their IBM salary. The statement continues: however, we understand that if any of our employees are called to serve in an emergency situation, such as the current Middle East situation, they may be required to stay longer. So, we are consi dering a number of possibilities – you have been warned by Armonk, Saddam.
