laid-off
Let go permanently
Laid-off describes workers who have lost their jobs due to business decisions rather than personal fault—downsizing, restructuring, or economic conditions: The laid-off employees received severance packages.
Unlike being fired, being laid off carries no implication of poor performance.
The hyphen typically appears when used before a noun: laid-off workers.
Without a job
- joblessLacking paid employment
- terminatedBrought to an end
- furloughedGranted mandatory unpaid leave
- downsizedReduced in scale
fired · dismissed · redundant · retrenched · out-of-work · sacked · axed · released
Termination pay or disconnection
- outplacementJob-search help for terminated employees
- HREmployee management department
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- handoverTransfer of control
Reducing workforce or scale
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- rightsizingOptimizing employee numbers
- cost-cuttingReducing expenditures deliberately
- reorganizationChanging how something's arranged
outsourcing · offshoring · streamlining · merger · acquisition · headcount · retrenchment · automation
Persistent apprehensive distress
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- fearEmotional response to threat
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
worry · depression · shock · anger · grief · shame · embarrassment · rejection
Being without paid work
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- interviewingFormal questioning session
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
- upskillingLearning new work abilities
freelancing · self-employment · COBRA · applying · LinkedIn
expenses · belt-tightening · creditors · bankruptcy · foreclosure · borrowing · rent · utilities
unemployed
Without a job
- joblessLacking paid employment
- terminatedBrought to an end
- furloughedGranted mandatory unpaid leave
downsized · fired · dismissed · redundant · retrenched · out-of-work · sacked · axed · released · discharged
severance
Termination pay or disconnection
- outplacementJob-search help for terminated employees
- HREmployee management department
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
downsizing
Reducing workforce or scale
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- rightsizingOptimizing employee numbers
- cost-cuttingReducing expenditures deliberately
reorganization · outsourcing · offshoring · streamlining · merger · acquisition · headcount · retrenchment · automation · consolidation
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- fearEmotional response to threat
insecurity · worry · depression · shock · anger · grief · shame · embarrassment · rejection · self-doubt
unemployment
Being without paid work
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- interviewingFormal questioning session
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
upskilling · freelancing · self-employment · COBRA · applying · LinkedIn
bills
budget · expenses · belt-tightening · creditors · bankruptcy · foreclosure · borrowing · rent · utilities
- nonfunctionalbroken, malfunctioning, inoperative, out of order, nonfunctional
laid-offpromoted
Advanced in rank
advanced · elevated · fast-tracked · rising · headhunted