Cisco Systems Inc. is planning a furlough of contingent workers from April 18 to April 22 in the U.S., Canada, India and China, according to an internal memo sent to Cisco managers that was obtained by Staffing Industry Analysts.

The memo reported that "business-critical" work will be exempt as well as in cases where senior management-level approval has been received in writing. The furlough is aimed at reducing expense in the technology company's fiscal third quarter.

Contract suppliers were set to be notified today, according to the memo.