lay off
/leɪ ɔːf/
Meaning
To "lay off" means to terminate an employee's contract, usually due to economic reasons, restructuring, or downsizing rather than poor job performance. It is a standard neutral term in the corporate world. The noun form is "layoff" (written as one word).
Examples
-
The tech giant had to lay off ten percent of its workforce due to declining revenues.
The tech giant had to lay off ten percent of its workforce due to declining revenues.
-
I was laid off during the 2020 recession, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise.
I was laid off during the 2020 recession, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise.
-
They are planning to restructure the department, which might mean having to lay off some staff.
They are planning to restructure the department, which might mean having to lay off some staff.
-
The factory closed down, laying off hundreds of local workers in the process.
The factory closed down, laying off hundreds of local workers in the process.
-
It is always difficult for human resources managers to lay off employees during hard times.
It is always difficult for human resources managers to lay off employees during hard times.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ He was fired off because of budget cuts.
✓ He was laid off because of budget cuts.
Use "laid off" for job loss due to external economic factors. "Fired" is used when an employee is terminated due to poor performance or misconduct.
-
✗ The company laid off to fifty workers yesterday.
✓ The company laid off fifty workers yesterday.
"Lay off" is a transitive verb that directly takes an object. Do not use the preposition "to" before the people being laid off.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
Due to the economic downturn, the firm was forced to ___ fifty employees.
💡 To terminate employment due to business reasons, not performance.
Show answer
lay off
-
She was ___ last year when her company closed its local branch.
💡 Past participle form. Terminated from a job due to restructuring.
Show answer
laid off