“Furloughed” means being temporarily told not to work, usually because of a lack of work, money, or a government shutdown. It is not the same as being fired, because the job is expected to continue later.
People use this word when someone is placed on a temporary leave from work. In daily life, you might hear it in news reports, workplace updates, or conversations about jobs and layoffs. It usually means the person may return to work once the situation improves.
Meaning & Usage
If someone is furloughed, they are still connected to their job, but they are not working for a period of time. Sometimes they may not get paid during that time, depending on the situation and company rules.
Examples
“Thousands of workers were furloughed during the shutdown.”
“She was furloughed for two weeks because the company had no projects.”
Is furloughed the same as fired?
No. Being furloughed is usually temporary, while being fired means the job has ended.
Do furloughed workers get paid?
Sometimes they do, but often they do not. It depends on the employer and the reason for the furlough.
Can furloughed employees return to work?
Yes. That is the main idea behind furloughs: the worker may come back when things improve.
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