The Associated Press had an article a few days ago about how Companies, including Hospitals are requiring month long furloughs for workers. Yes these are unpaid. One worker interviewed astutely noted:

Trinh Nguyen, 23, was called into a conference room with four other workers in late December at the 50-person Baltimore architecture and design firm where he works. The group was told that they were on a 30-day furlough, starting Dec. 10. "They tried to lighten (it) up as not a termination," said Nguyen, who asked that the company not be named.