If workers are laid off, they are told by their employers to leave their job, usually because there is no more work for them to do. 100,000 federal workers will be laid off to reduce the deficit They did not sell a single car for a month and had to lay off workers. see also layoff
When a company is unable to compete and must reduce expenses, they may be forced to send some employees home A lay off is usually considered "temporary" until the company is able to regain financial stability