layoffs
/ˈleɪ.ɒfs/ · lay·offs
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 layoffs due to the economic downturn.
- A period of time when someone is unavailable for work. The employee is on maternity leave, so she is currently on a layoff.
- A short pass that has been rolled in front of another player for them to kick. The midfielder made a quick layoff to the striker, who scored a goal.
Did you know? The term 'layoffs' gained widespread use during the 1980s, as companies began to adopt more formalized procedures for downsizing and restructuring.