Layoffs
/ˈleɪɒfs/
Definitions
The dismissal of a worker or workers, typically due to economic reasons or restructuring.
/ˈleɪɒfs/
The act of terminating the employment of a worker or workers.
The tech company announced major layoffs, affecting thousands of employees.
💡 Simply: Imagine a company is having a tough time and needs to cut costs. They might have to say goodbye to some employees, which is called a layoff. It's like when a team has to cut players to stay within budget.
👶 For kids: When a company says some people can't work there anymore.
More Examples
The economic downturn led to widespread layoffs across the manufacturing sector.
She was devastated to learn about the layoffs at her company.
How It's Used
"The company announced a round of layoffs due to declining sales."
"Layoffs can be an indicator of economic recession."
From 'lay off', meaning to cease employing someone, combined with the plural suffix '-s'. The term emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely influenced by industrial practices of reducing workforce during economic downturns.
The term 'layoff' and its plural form emerged with the rise of industrialization and large-scale businesses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early examples often related to temporary cessation of work due to seasonal or economic fluctuations, evolving to include permanent workforce reductions.
Memory tip
Think of 'laying off' the workers to save money.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: lay off