Is It Just Me?

USA Today has announced all staff members must take a one-week furlough without pay sometime between February 28 and July 3, to combat lost revenue due to slumping ad sales.

Wouldn't it be easier on the employees--not to mention less disruptive to the paper's operations--just to make everyone take every fourth Friday off without pay? It would spread out the pain to the employees, and allow work to get done, as the work week would be consolidated so people aren't missed as much?

Am I missing something here, or does MBA school require all graduates only to address issues with the bluntest available instrument?