layoff
/ˈleɪ.ɒf/ · lay.of
noun
- A dismissal of employees from their jobs because of tightened budgetary constraints or work shortage (not due to poor performance or misconduct). The company had to implement a layoff due to financial difficulties.
noun
- A period of time when someone is unavailable for work. The employee took a layoff to care for a family member.
noun
- A short pass that has been rolled in front of another player for them to kick. The midfielder made a perfect layoff to the striker, who scored a goal.
Did you know? The term 'layoff' gained widespread use in the 1980s, particularly in the context of corporate restructuring and downsizing.