layoffs
Workforce reduction moves
Layoffs are terminations of employment, typically when a company eliminates positions due to economic conditions, restructuring, or declining business rather than employee misconduct.
Unlike firings, layoffs carry no implication of fault: The tech sector announced massive layoffs after the market downturn.
A layoff may be temporary, with workers recalled when conditions improve, or permanent.
The singular layoff can describe the event or the period of unemployment that follows.
Reducing workforce or scale
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- redundanciesUnneeded duplications or repetitions
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
- workforce reductionCutting employee headcount
rightsizing · termination · pink slips · headcount reduction · corporate restructuring · dismissals · cost-cutting · outplacement
Prolonged economic decline
- downturnEconomic decline period
- contractionReduction in size
- depressionProlonged low state
- austerityEnforced economic stringency
crisis · slowdown · collapse · bailout · budget cuts · market crash · outsourcing · offshoring
Lacking paid employment
- benefitsGains or helpful effects
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- displacedShifted from proper location
unemployed · job search · severance pay · COBRA · resume · networking · career change · retraining
Persistent apprehensive distress
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- fearEmotional response to threat
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- worryTroubled mental state
dread · shock · grief · anger · shame · rejection · humiliation · betrayal
Professional associates
- teammatesFellow squad members
- seniorityRank from length of service
- unionJoining into one
- last in first outInventory accounting method
notification · HR · exit interview · final paycheck · reference letter · LinkedIn · support group · career counseling
downsizing
Reducing workforce or scale
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- redundanciesUnneeded duplications or repetitions
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
workforce reduction · rightsizing · termination · pink slips · headcount reduction · corporate restructuring · dismissals · cost-cutting · outplacement · exit package
recession
Prolonged economic decline
- downturnEconomic decline period
- contractionReduction in size
- depressionProlonged low state
austerity · crisis · slowdown · collapse · bailout · budget cuts · market crash · outsourcing · offshoring · automation
jobless
Lacking paid employment
- benefitsGains or helpful effects
- claimStatement of ownership or truth
- compensationPayment for services rendered
displaced · unemployed · job search · severance pay · COBRA · resume · networking · career change · retraining · unemployment office
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- fearEmotional response to threat
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
worry · dread · shock · grief · anger · shame · rejection · humiliation · betrayal · demoralization
colleagues
Professional associates
last in first out · notification · HR · exit interview · final paycheck · reference letter · LinkedIn · support group · career counseling · mental health
- job marketjobs, employment, job seekers, job search, job hunting
- blue collarhard hat, blue collar, blue-collar jobs, factory work, manual labor
- Corporate Americacorporate ladder, cubicle, cubicles, corner office, office politics
- cutbackscutback, cutbacks, decrease, reduction, budget cuts
- work problemsfiring, low pay, burnout, deadline pressure, job loss
- Business Newsearnings report, market reports, quarterly results, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg
layoffshiring
Giving someone work
hiring spree · recruitment · onboarding · staffing up · job creation
layoffsjob security
Protected employment status
tenure · job retention · employment stability · job protection · lifetime employment
layoffsjob growth
Rise in hiring numbers
hiring boom · labor shortage · economic expansion · full employment · job creation
- mass layoffsSimultaneous dismissal of many workers
- tech layoffsIndustry workforce reductions
- layoff noticeFormal employment termination communication
- layoff compensationPayment upon involuntary termination
- seasonal layoffRecurring job suspension