layoff
Company cuts staff
A layoff is the termination of employees, typically for economic reasons rather than individual performance: The company announced layoffs affecting 200 workers.
Unlike firing, layoffs often come with severance packages and the possibility of rehiring when conditions improve.
The verb phrase is two words: They had to lay off half the staff.
Act of ending something
- firingTerminating employment
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
- pink slipEmployment termination notice
sacking · discharge · redundancy · let go · axing · separation · workforce reduction · cutback
Granted absence from work
- recallMemory retrieval act
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
- cyclicalRepeating in rounds
- reduced hoursShortened work time
work stoppage · callback · rehire · suspension · plant shutdown · waiting period
Prolonged economic decline
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- downturnEconomic decline period
- job marketEmployment availability collectively
- economic crisisSevere financial system disruption
depression · austerity · contraction · slowdown · inflation · hiring freeze · labor market · economic hardship
Rearranging an existing framework
- cost-cuttingReducing expenditures deliberately
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- mergerCorporate combination
- acquisitionAct of obtaining something
outsourcing · offshoring · consolidation · divestment · efficiency · profitability · shareholder value · organizational change
Seeking paid employment
- resumeCareer summary document
- severance packageCompensation upon job termination
- unemployment benefitsState aid for jobless workers
- COBRAInterim health coverage law
networking · interviewing · career change · retraining · upskilling · references · LinkedIn · job fair
Persistent apprehensive distress
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- fearEmotional response to threat
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
worry · devastation · shock · grief · loss · anger · depression · self-doubt
termination
Act of ending something
- firingTerminating employment
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
pink slip · sacking · discharge · redundancy · let go · axing · separation · workforce reduction · cutback · retrenchment
furlough
Granted absence from work
reduced hours · work stoppage · callback · rehire · suspension · plant shutdown · waiting period
recession
Prolonged economic decline
- unemploymentBeing without paid work
- downturnEconomic decline period
- job marketEmployment availability collectively
economic crisis · depression · austerity · contraction · slowdown · inflation · hiring freeze · labor market · economic hardship · industry decline
restructuring
Rearranging an existing framework
- cost-cuttingReducing expenditures deliberately
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- mergerCorporate combination
acquisition · outsourcing · offshoring · consolidation · divestment · efficiency · profitability · shareholder value · organizational change · headcount reduction
job search
Seeking paid employment
- resumeCareer summary document
- severance packageCompensation upon job termination
- unemployment benefitsState aid for jobless workers
COBRA · networking · interviewing · career change · retraining · upskilling · references · LinkedIn · job fair · recruiter
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- fearEmotional response to threat
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
stress · worry · devastation · shock · grief · loss · anger · depression · self-doubt · rejection
- unemploymentunemployment, unemployed, jobless, joblessness, unemployment rate
- career killersburnout, firing, job loss, demotion, bad reference
- cutbackscutback, cutbacks, decrease, reduction, budget cuts
- hard timeshardship, struggle, struggling, unemployment, tough times
- work problemsfiring, low pay, burnout, deadline pressure, job loss
- workplace changeshiring, merger, firing, reorganization, restructuring
layoffhiring spree
Intensive period of employment
hiring boom · job creation · growth · expansion · economic boom
layoffexpansion
Increase in scope
hiring spree · hiring boom · buildup · ramp-up · talent acquisition