layoffs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'layoffs' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the practice of eliminating a certain number of employees from a company or organization. For example: The company had to resort to layoffs in order to reduce costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The number suggests strong hiring activity, the AP reports: Weekly applications are a proxy for layoffs.

The Guardian

The company weathered the storm without layoffs, partly by reassigning redundant production workers to find ways to cut costs, improve quality and streamline production.

The Economist

The same goes for Germany, according to Martin Zündorf of the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers, which represents the country's bigger drugs firms.Any threat of removing such products from the list could soon translate into lost sales—and into layoffs.

The Economist

When worried students and consultants do finally gain (or regain) their sought-after jobs, they might come up with innovative ways for companies to scale back without resorting to layoffs, furloughs, or deferrals.

The Economist

Many layoffs, such as Tenneco Automotive's cutbacks in marketing, would have happened anyway as corporate restructuring ploughs on.In short, the mid-west's industrialists are no surer than the nation's economists or the politicians in Washington whether America is heading for a recession.

The Economist

America's unemployment rate unexpectedly held steady at 4.5% in July despite increasing layoffs.

The Economist

They resist privatisation, not least because they fear layoffs.

The Economist

Big exporters, like Hitachi and Toshiba, are announcing huge layoffs.

The Economist

In New York City illegal workers serve sex, drugs and takeout to the wealthiest members of society--or at least they did until financial sector layoffs began in 2008.

The Economist

But as firms adjust their payrolls to a lower level of demand, layoffs are likely to accelerate.

The Economist

A government subsidy to allow shut firms to continue paying salaries has already run out, and layoffs are legion.I cycle through the old suburbs south of the red zone, where life again feels normal, despite the holes in the ground.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "layoffs", provide context by specifying the company or industry affected to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "layoffs" interchangeably with terms like "firing" or "quitting". "Layoffs" specifically refer to job terminations due to economic reasons or restructuring, not individual performance or voluntary departures.

Linguistic Context

The term "layoffs" functions primarily as a noun, typically in the plural form, referring to the act of terminating employment for economic or organizational reasons. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "layoffs" is a commonly used noun referring to the termination of employment due to economic or organizational reasons. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently used in news reports and business discussions, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. While "layoffs" is the standard term, related phrases like "job cuts" or "workforce reductions" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

job cuts

Focuses more broadly on the reduction of jobs, not necessarily through involuntary termination.

workforce reductions

A more formal and neutral way to describe the decrease in the number of employees.

staff reductions

Similar to workforce reductions, but emphasizes the reduction in staff size.

downsizing

Implies a strategic effort to make a company smaller and more efficient.

redundancies

Often used in British English, referring to the situation where a job is no longer necessary.

terminations

A general term for ending employment, which can include both voluntary and involuntary departures.

position eliminations

Focuses on the removal of specific roles rather than necessarily the people in them.

personnel reductions

A more bureaucratic or formal way of referring to staff cuts.

employee separations

A broad term encompassing any departure of an employee, including layoffs, resignations, and retirements.

retrenchment

Suggests a defensive action to cut back due to economic difficulties.

FAQs

How are "layoffs" different from firing an employee?

"Layoffs" are terminations due to company-wide economic reasons or restructuring, while firing is usually performance-based or disciplinary. Therefore "firing" focuses on individual performance, "layoffs" focuses on organizational restructuring.

What are some common reasons for "layoffs"?

Common reasons include economic downturns, company restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, or technological advancements that make certain positions obsolete.

What should employers consider when planning "layoffs"?

Employers should consider legal requirements (such as WARN Act), severance packages, outplacement services, and maintaining morale among remaining employees. In addition, employers must follow HR and ethics principles.

Are there alternatives to "layoffs" that companies can consider?

Yes, companies can explore options such as salary reductions, hiring freezes, voluntary departures, reduced work hours, or retraining programs to avoid or minimize "layoffs".