The Ontario government did something like this during the recession in the 80s. There were "Rae Days" a dozen forced unpaid days off for the public service to both save money and jobs, named after the premier of the time, Bob Rae.
Rae Days were reviled and helped end the viability of Rae's party the Ontario NDP.
The thing is... I don't get it? Would people have rather had mass layoffs? Rae 100% did the right thing here IMO.