layoff

[ ley-awf, -of ]

noun

1. the act of dismissing employees, especially temporarily.
2. a period of enforced unemployment or inactivity.

layoff

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of layoff¹

1885–90, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase lay off

Example Sentences

But an executive order could be slow to take effect, because the Biden administration in April changed regulations to give employees a right to appeal reassignment or layoff.

From Science Magazine

This week, Mike Tyson returns to the ring after a 19-year layoff.

From Salon

Postal Service, the kind of downsizing that Mr. Ramaswamy outlined during his presidential bid — as many as 1.65 million layoffs — would have repercussions for the economy and communities across the country.

From New York Times

This is the third round of layoffs at JPL this year, a reduction spurred primarily by major budgetary cuts to the Mars Sample Return mission, which is managed by JPL.

From Los Angeles Times

IHeartMedia has undergone multiple rounds of layoffs at various stations over the past year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cutback
• unemployment

Layoff Vs. Furlough

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.

Quiz yourself on layoff vs. furlough!

Should layoff or furlough be used in the following sentence?

The company ordered a one-month ____ of its employees during the closure.