ADECCO NOTES THE TIMELINE GIVEN BY THE UK TAKEOVER PANEL

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Adecco notes the timeline given by the UK takeover panel
Adecco notes the timeline given by the UK takeover panel
August 27, 2008
INVESTORS

Adecco notes the timeline given by the UK takeover panel


Zurich, Switzerland, August 27, 2008:  Adecco S.A. ("Adecco"), the worldwide leader in Human Resource services, notes the statement made today by the UK Takeover Panel Executive ("The Panel") ruling that the deadline for Adecco, either to announce a firm intention to make an offer for Michael Page International PLC ("Michael Page") or to announce that it does not intend to make an offer for Michael Page is 5 p.m. UK time (6 p.m. CET) on September 30, 2008.


Each of the parties has accepted this ruling.


This announcement does not constitute an announcement of a firm intention by Adecco to make an offer under Rule 2.5 of the Code. There can be no assurance that any offer will be made.


A further announcement to the market will be made when appropriate.



Contacts:


Adecco Corporate Press Office                                          

press.office@adecco.com ; Tel. +41 (0) 44 878 87 87


Adecco Corporate Investor Relations

Investor.relations@adecco.com ; Tel. +41 (0) 44 878 89 25



This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether pursuant to this announcement or otherwise.

The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions.  Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.


Dealing Disclosure Requirements:

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the UK Takeover Code (the 'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Michael Page or Adecco, all 'dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of Michael Page or Adecco, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of Michael Page or Adecco by Michael Page or Adecco, or by any of their respective 'associates', must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk/new/.

'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel.



Forward-looking statements

Information in this release may involve guidance, expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to Adecco S.A. as of the date of this release, and we assume no duty to update any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences. Factors that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements include, among other things: global GDP trends and the demand for temporary work; changes in regulation of temporary work; intense competition in the markets in which the Company competes; changes in the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified temporary personnel; the resolution of the French anti-trust procedure and any adverse developments in existing commercial relationships, disputes or legal and tax proceedings.



About Adecco

Adecco S.A. is a Fortune Global 500 company and the global leader in HR services. The Adecco Group network connects over 700,000 associates with clients each day through its network of over 36,500 employees (FTEs) and over 6,700 offices in over 60 countries and territories around the world. Registered in Switzerland, and managed by a multinational team with expertise in markets spanning the globe, the Adecco Group delivers an unparalleled range of flexible staffing and career resources to clients and associates.


Adecco S.A. is registered in Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange with trading on SWX Europe (SWX: ADEN) and the Euronext Paris (EURONEXT: ADE).