B.C. employees looking for benefits that will help them attract and retain scarce workers will find it hard to beat a recent offer made by the B.C. government to its employees.

Based on an e-mail leaked to the media, Canadian Press reports public servants will receive half their salaries if they sign up as volunteers for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler.

The e-mail was sent the same day the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the games, launched its official drive to recruit 25,000 volunteers.

According to Donna Wilson, the organizing committee's executive VP for workforce and sustainability, the committee was aware of the provincial announcement in advance, and they have been talking to at least 50 other large B.C. employers about offering similar incentives.

In an interview with Canadian Press, New Democratic Party critic Harry Bain estimates that if 1,000 civil servants take this up, it will cost the government $3 million.

Comments in response to this initiative are posted on the Vancouver Sun website.