layoff
noun
\
Definition of layoff
(Entry 1 of 2)
lay off
verbDefinition of lay off (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms for layoff
Synonyms: Noun
ax (or axe), discharge, dismissal, furlough, redundancy [chiefly British]
Synonyms: Verb
break, break off, break up, can [slang], cease, cut off, cut out, desist (from), discontinue, drop, end, give over, halt, knock off, leave off, pack (up or in), quit, shut off, stop
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Examples of layoff in a Sentence
Noun
The company announced the layoff of several hundred employees. More layoffs are expected at the factory later this year. The band finally has a new album after a three year layoff. a layoff of three yearsVerb
you need to lay off eating those jelly doughnuts, or you'll end up looking like one
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
At another company, a president mistakenly sent documents related to an executive's upcoming layoff to that executive's printer. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, "Damage control: How managers can recover from common blunders," 11 Sep. 2019 Uber has already had two layoffs of more than 800 employees this year and the departure of two C-level executives. — Fortune, "Uber, Lyft, and Other Gig Economy Companies Push Back on New California Employment Law," 11 Sep. 2019 Mittelstadt said 12% chose a voluntary layoff and the remaining 8% are either taking time off or working very limited hours. — Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Outpost Natural Foods lays off workers with its central kitchen still closed after positive Salmonella test," 10 Sep. 2019 Retailers at large have been hard hit in recent years, as shown in bankruptcies, store liquidations and layoffs. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Target and UPS hiring more than 230,000 workers for holidays," 10 Sep. 2019 Many people are derailed financially in their 50s by unexpected layoffs and health problems. — Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, "Avoid this big mistake when paying off debt," 8 Sep. 2019 Company head Daniel Haver tells Billboard layoffs were needed to streamline the company's operations. — Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, "Native Instruments Cuts 20% of Staff in Restructuring," 5 Sep. 2019 Barrett said removing the threat of closings, layoffs and transfers of residents would lead to productive discussions about the future of the nursing home industry in the state. — Josh Kovner, courant.com, "Senate Republicans call for special session to reverse cuts to nine nursing homes, fearing closures, layoffs, displaced residents," 5 Sep. 2019 Employers often cut temporary workers before slowing the addition of permanent ones or doing layoffs. — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, "Workers are putting in fewer hours. Is that a sign a recession is coming?," 5 Sep. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'layoff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for layoff
layoff
nounFinancial Definition of layoff
What It Is
A layoff is a temporary or permanent termination of employment by an employer.
How It Works
Let's say John Doe works for Company XYZ. He has worked there for 15 years. Company XYZ begins having cash flow problems and has to reduce its labor expense in order to avoid going out of business. In turn, it decides to shed 1,000 workers, of which John is one. This mass termination is called a layoff.
A layoff is not the same as being fired. Firings typically occur when an employee is at fault or has disobeyed company policies; terminations are not necessarily a direct reflection of a particular employee's performance (although it takes a village to wreck a company).
Why It Matters
From an investing standpoint, layoffs indicate a struggling company and thus are red flags for their investors. Layoffs can be surprises to people, and they are one of many reasons that investors should have emergency funds on hand at all times.
However, people often get some indication that a layoff is coming. The federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to provide 60 days' notice (sometimes more) of plant closings and mass layoffs. However, this applies to companies with more than 100 employees (and that 100 generally cannot include people who have been with the company for fewer than six months or part-timers).
Source: Investing Answers
layoff
noun
English Language Learners Definition of layoff
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