Electronic Arts employees get 'leap day' off
Last Updated: Friday, February 29, 2008 | 6:10 AM PT
CBC News
Recognizing that leap years only occur once every four years, a video game maker is marking the occasion by giving its employees Feb. 29 off.
Today will be a paid holiday for all Canadian employees of Electronic Arts Inc. That includes about 2,000 video game makers in Burnaby, B.C., Vancouver and Montreal.
A senior executive said the company wants to inspire employees to take more time for themselves.
"Have fun, hang out with family, hang out with friends, because we don't do it enough and it seemed like a great day to do it," said Rory Armes, vice-president of Electronic Arts Canada.
Armes said company employees were delighted to get a paid day away from the pressures of making leading-edge video games.
The next leap year isn't until 2012, but the company is trying to come with a reason to give its employees another day off in 2009.
Ideas that are being tossed around for next year include "recovery day,'' the company said.
The world's largest independent video game publisher, Electronic Arts' popular franchises include the Madden NFL and FIFA Soccer series.
News of the special leap year holiday comes as the company presses ahead with a $2-billion US bid to take over upstart gaming rival Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. of New York City.
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