has left the workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has left the workforce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has stopped working, either temporarily or permanently, often due to retirement, personal choice, or other circumstances. Example: "After many years of dedicated service, she has left the workforce to pursue her passion for painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Worse, a growing number of workers, in particular working-age men, have left the workforce.

The Economist

Maybe women who have left the workforce feel that their voice no longer counts.

The Washington Post

To attract recruits, she ran ads targeting women who had left the workforce or had been close to their grandparents.

The Washington Post

The same report found that more people had left the workforce to attend school.A triumphant vindication of reform?

The Economist

Unemployment has fallen to 7.3%, its lowest level since the end of 2008, albeit partly because many women and retirees have left the workforce.

The Guardian - Business

Both form part of the "reserve army" of labour, as are the so-called "hidden unemployed" who have left the workforce.

Independent

That's obviously good news, although it doesn't account for the large number of people who have left the workforce.

The New Yorker

Unemployment is low in part because so many people have left the workforce; the percentage of the population that is either working or looking for work has fallen substantially in the past six years.

The Economist

The biggest winners are likely to be those with patchy employment records, such as women who have left the workforce to bring up children, the unemployed or those doing part-time and low-paid work.

Independent

A new analysis, compiled by experts at the Centre for Economic and Business Research CEBRR) for Public Health England and the Alzheimer's Society, estimates that this figure will double by 2030, by which time 83,000 people would otherwise be working will have left the workforce to care for someone with dementia.

Independent

A New York Times magazine story about women who've left the workforce to raise children — and are now struggling to get back into their professions — set off a new round of debate on the gender pay gap, work success for women and the career-home balancing act.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has left the workforce" when you want to clearly indicate that someone is no longer participating in the labor market, whether temporarily or permanently. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the person's situation (e.g. retirement, career change, personal reasons).

Common error

Avoid using "has left the workforce" interchangeably with "is unemployed". Unemployment specifically refers to individuals who are actively seeking work but cannot find it. "Has left the workforce" is broader and includes those who may not be seeking employment (e.g. retirees, stay-at-home parents).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has left the workforce" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a completed action of departure from employment. Ludwig AI validates that this is a proper phrase. It describes a state of being no longer actively employed.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has left the workforce" is a grammatically correct way to describe someone who is no longer employed or actively seeking employment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate to use this phrase in both formal and informal contexts to convey a specific state of non-participation in the labor market. Common reasons for leaving the workforce include retirement, family responsibilities, education, or health issues. It's important to distinguish this phrase from "unemployment", which refers specifically to individuals actively seeking work. Understanding these nuances helps in accurately describing employment trends and individual situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has exited the workforce

Uses a different verb ("exited" instead of "left") to convey the same meaning of departing from employment.

has retired from work

Specifically implies that the person has stopped working due to retirement.

is no longer employed

States a lack of current employment without specifying the reason.

is out of work

A more general term that can encompass unemployment or leaving the workforce for other reasons.

has ceased working

Uses a more formal verb ("ceased") to indicate the termination of employment.

has quit their job

Implies a voluntary departure from a specific job.

has resigned from their position

A formal way to indicate a voluntary departure from a specific position.

is not participating in the labor force

A more technical term often used in economic contexts.

is taking a career break

Indicates a temporary departure from the workforce.

is on sabbatical

Specifically indicates a temporary leave from work, often for academic or professional development.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "has left the workforce"?

It means the person is no longer actively employed or seeking employment. This can be due to various reasons such as retirement, raising a family, pursuing education, or long-term illness.

What are some other ways to say "has left the workforce"?

You can use alternatives like "has exited the workforce", "has retired from work", or "is no longer employed" depending on the specific reason they are no longer working.

Is there a difference between "has left the workforce" and "is unemployed"?

Yes. "Unemployed" refers to people who are actively looking for a job but can't find one. "Has left the workforce" is a broader term that includes individuals who are not actively seeking employment, such as retirees or stay-at-home parents.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has left the workforce"?

It's appropriate to use "has left the workforce" when describing someone who is no longer participating in the labor market, regardless of whether they intend to return in the future. It's often used in economic discussions or when analyzing labor statistics.