leaving the workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving the workforce" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing retirement, career changes, or temporary breaks from employment. Example: "After 30 years in the industry, she is finally leaving the workforce to pursue her passion for painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We found that women could have a kid, and increase their income by leaving the workforce".

The Guardian

Much of the improvement in Newcastle's unemployment rate was due to men leaving the workforce completely.

The Guardian - Business

The drop in unemployment is partly driven by people giving up and leaving the workforce.

The Guardian - Business

· Lisa Chow believes there are the four reasons Americans are leaving the workforce, including: "They're staying home with the kids.

The New York Times

Increasingly, she says, students from India and China will shun the idea leaving the workforce for two years' study.

The Economist

Simone Foxman (@SimoneFoxman) would appear that more workers are either becoming full-time employed or leaving the workforce.

The Guardian - Business

Underemployment and those leaving the workforce: these measures gave not fallen at anything close to the rate that unemployment has.

The Guardian - Business

Oddly, it's the young and the middle-aged who are leaving the workforce, while the old are joining it in greater numbers.

The Economist

Another study found that leaving the workforce has a significant negative effect on women's wages even twenty years after a career interruption.

The Economist

With increasing frequency, older workers are leaving the workforce, cashing out of their expensive homes in productive places, and moving to the Sunbelt.

The Economist

Those "large reductions," the authors estimate, might cash out to somewhere between 530,00 and 940,000 Americans leaving the workforce altogether.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In personal finance contexts, clarify the reason for "leaving the workforce" as it has different implication for financial planning. Be specific if it's retirement, early retirement, or unexpected circumstances such as disability.

Common error

Be careful about making broad assumptions about the reasons why people are "leaving the workforce". Factors vary widely depending on age, gender, industry, and economic conditions. Avoid oversimplified statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving the workforce" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the action of ceasing participation in the labor market. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leaving the workforce" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the action of ceasing participation in the labor market. Ludwig highlights its versatility and correct usage across diverse contexts. It appears frequently in news media, scientific publications, and formal business discussions. When using this phrase, consider the specific reasons behind the workforce exit to avoid overgeneralizations and ensure clarity. Alternative phrases like "exiting the labor market" or "retiring from one's career" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exiting the labor market

Focuses on the economic aspect of ceasing participation in the labor force.

withdrawing from employment

Emphasizes the act of actively removing oneself from a job or career.

retiring from one's career

Specifically refers to ending one's professional life due to age or other personal reasons.

departing from active employment

A more formal way of saying leaving a job or career.

terminating professional activity

Highlights the cessation of professional engagement.

ceasing work

A simple and direct way to express stopping employment.

relinquishing job duties

Focuses on giving up responsibilities associated with a job.

opting out of the workforce

Suggests a conscious decision to not participate in employment.

taking a career break

Implies a temporary departure from employment, with the intention to return later.

becoming economically inactive

Describes the state of not being employed or actively seeking employment.

FAQs

What are common reasons for "leaving the workforce"?

People may be "leaving the workforce" due to retirement, family responsibilities, health issues, pursuing further education, or career changes. Economic downturns can also lead to involuntary workforce exits.

What are the economic consequences of a large number of people "leaving the workforce"?

A significant number of people "leaving the workforce" can lead to labor shortages, reduced productivity, and slower economic growth. It can also strain social security systems and increase dependency ratios.

What can I say instead of "leaving the workforce"?

You can use alternatives like "exiting the labor market", "retiring from one's career", or "withdrawing from employment" depending on the context.

How does "leaving the workforce" affect women differently than men?

Women are more likely to interrupt their careers or leave the workforce due to childcare responsibilities or eldercare. This can lead to a gender pay gap and reduced retirement savings.