laid off
Lost your job
Laid off describes workers who have lost their jobs, typically due to business conditions rather than personal performance—company downsizing, budget cuts, or economic downturns.
Unlike being fired, being laid off carries no implication of fault: She was laid off when the factory closed.
The term can soften the blow of job loss, though the financial reality is the same.
Termination pay or disconnection
- pink slipEmployment termination notice
- dismissalRemoval from position
- terminationAct of ending something
- exit packageBenefits upon leaving employment
outplacement · furlough · displaced · job cut · notice period · final paycheck · separation agreement · last day
Rearranging an existing framework
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
- cost-cuttingReducing expenditures deliberately
- workforce reductionCutting employee headcount
- reorganizationChanging how something's arranged
consolidation · streamlining · outsourcing · offshoring · automation · mergers · acquisitions · budget cuts
Persistent apprehensive distress
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- fearEmotional response to threat
insecurity · rejection · shame · anger · depression · stress · self-doubt · limbo
State aid for jobless workers
- severance payCompensation upon job termination
- COBRAInterim health coverage law
- savingsAccumulated money kept
- mortgageSecured home loan
bills · debt · budget · emergency fund · 401k · income gap · financial strain · food stamps
Career summary document
- applicationsPractical uses or requests
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- LinkedInProfessional networking platform
cover letter · recruiters · job boards · career fair · portfolio · references · skills gap · marketable
Learning new work capabilities
- upskillingLearning new work abilities
- career changeMoving to different occupation
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
- certificationAttestation of qualification
pivot · entrepreneurship · bootcamp · new direction · fresh start · opportunity · self-assessment · transferable skills
severance
Termination pay or disconnection
- pink slipEmployment termination notice
- dismissalRemoval from position
- terminationAct of ending something
exit package · outplacement · furlough · displaced · job cut · notice period · final paycheck · separation agreement · last day · clearance
restructuring
Rearranging an existing framework
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
- cost-cuttingReducing expenditures deliberately
- workforce reductionCutting employee headcount
reorganization · consolidation · streamlining · outsourcing · offshoring · automation · mergers · acquisitions · budget cuts · headcount reduction
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
fear · insecurity · rejection · shame · anger · depression · stress · self-doubt · limbo · vulnerability
unemployment benefits
State aid for jobless workers
- severance payCompensation upon job termination
- COBRAInterim health coverage law
- savingsAccumulated money kept
bills · mortgage · debt · budget · emergency fund · 401k · income gap · financial strain · food stamps · assistance programs
resume
Career summary document
- applicationsPractical uses or requests
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
LinkedIn · cover letter · recruiters · job boards · career fair · portfolio · references · skills gap · marketable · hireable
reskilling
Learning new work capabilities
- upskillingLearning new work abilities
- career changeMoving to different occupation
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
certification · pivot · entrepreneurship · bootcamp · new direction · fresh start · opportunity · self-assessment · transferable skills · career counseling
- unemploymentunemployment, unemployed, jobless, joblessness, unemployment rate
- Euphemismspass away, passed away, passed on, expecting, with child
- oustedfired, axed, sacked, canned, terminated
- job transitionjob search, unemployed, career change, interviewing, resume
- employment statushired, fired, employed, unemployed, retired
- nonearnersunemployed, retirees, pensioners, homemakers, housewives
laid offresigned
Yielded to circumstances
quit · retired · gave notice · walked out · stepped down
laid offhired
Given employment
taken on · brought on board · recruited · called back · rehired