layoff

American  

[ley-awf, -of] / ˈleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

1. the act of dismissing employees, especially temporarily.

2. a period of enforced unemployment or inactivity.

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layoff Cultural  

1. The temporary or permanent removal of a worker from his or her job, usually because of cutbacks in production or corporate reorganization.

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Usage

What’s the difference between layoff and furlough? A layoff is usually a permanent removal from a job. A furlough is a temporary release of a worker from their job, typically with the expectation that they will be asked to return.Both words can also be used as verbs. An organization can lay off employees or furlough them. The adjective forms are laid off and furloughed.The word layoff is typically used in the context of a company permanently letting go workers due to economic reasons (such as not being able to afford to pay them) as opposed to performance reasons (employees let go for poor performance are typically said to have been fired).A furlough typically involves an employer requiring an employee to stop working for a period of time during which they will not get paid—though furloughed workers sometimes keep their benefits, such as health insurance. Furloughs can happen during government shutdowns or when a company does not need certain employees for a certain period of time but expects to need them back after that period ends.Here’s an example of layoff and furlough used correctly in a sentence.Example: A furlough is not ideal, but at least it’s temporary—the company is doing it to avoid layoffs.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between layoff and furlough.

Etymology

Origin of layoff

1885–90, noun use of verb phrase lay off

Example Sentences

Politico said it is profitable and growing, though it conducted layoffs affecting 3% of its total staff earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several people carried signs declaring “Save Public Health,” a reference to massive layoffs last year at the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nor can they control the size of the disinflationary boost from the rise in productivity or address the negative distributional impacts from AI-related layoffs.

From Barron's

Clear Secure was expected to be a clear winner from a prolonged shutdown and the possibility of more layoffs.

From Barron's

The announcement comes amid continued struggles for the video game industry, which has in recent months seen a slew of sudden developer layoffs, service price increases and controversial leadership changes.

From BBC

Related Words

• cutback
• unemployment