BEIJING, Dec. 22 — Yahoo says it will close its offices from Christmas through New Year’s Day to help cut cost, according to media reports Tuesday.

Yahoo spokeswoman Dana Lengkeek said the move is the first time that the company has required most of its 13,200 employees to use vacation time during the holidays.

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

Yahoo’s U.S. employees can use vacation time or take unpaid leave for the days not covered in the holiday schedule. Outside the U.S., “time off will be paid consistent with local standards and laws,” according to the spokeswoman.

Employees performing essential duties, such as customer support, will still be working during this time.

Executives at Yahoo have been on a cost-cutting campaign since the start of this year, laying off nearly 700 employees in the spring and shutting down duplicative products. Yahoo ended the third quarter of 2009 with 13,200 employees.

The campaign has helped offset a 12 percent decline in Yahoo’s revenue through the first nine months of this year. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/22/content_12687710.htm