Furlough vs Layof

By Reid - August 24, 2022

Difference Between Layoff and Furlough

There's no doubt about it - losing your job can be a complex and confusing experience, especially when you don't understand the reasons behind it.

If you've been told that your job has been affected by either a layoff or a furlough, you may be asking yourself a few questions.

Let's look at these two a bit closer and help you understand the critical differences between a layoff and a furlough. Whether you're someone who a recent event has just impacted or are simply curious about the topic, this post should help answer some of those questions.

What Is The Difference Between Layoff And Furlough?

The primary difference is that a furlough is meant to be a temporary arrangement while being laid off is a more permanent termination from an organization.

What is a Layoff?

Layoffs refer to the termination of an employee due to lack of work available, poor performance, company restructuring, merger/acquisition, etc. Employees who are laid off are typically eligible for unemployment benefits after they are let go.

What is a furlough?

Furloughs refer to a mandatory, unpaid leave of absence for a set period from an organization. Businesses often furlough employees when they don’t want to lay off staff but lack the resources to continue paying them (hoping to turn things around).

Those furloughed typically don't fall under the eligibility bucket for unemployment benefits, but they may be able to continue receiving certain benefits while away from the company.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Being Furloughed or Laid Off Better?

Neither is great, but it ultimately depends on the individual employee's specific circumstances and needs. Some differences between the two may impact which option is more favorable for an employee.

For example, laid-off employees are typically eligible for unemployment benefits, which can provide some financial support during unemployment. On the other hand, furloughed employees may not qualify for unemployment benefits, as they are not technically terminated from their job.

From a job security standpoint, a layoff may be a permanent separation from employment, while a furlough is typically a temporary leave of absence.

Employees who are furloughed may have a better chance of returning to their job once the furlough period is over. However, this is not guaranteed, and a furlough can turn into a permanent layoff if the company's financial situation does not improve.

How Long Can A Company Furlough An Employee?

There’s no set timeline or limit for how long a company can furlough an employee. There are many factors to consider, and it often depends on the company's specific circumstances and the business's needs.

Some furloughs may last only a few days or weeks, while others may be more prolonged, staying several months or longer. Most furloughs are temporary, so anything less than one year is likely.

Title: What’s the difference between layoff and furlough (furlough vs laid off)

Category: Employer Resources

Tags: furlough vs layoff, Furlough, difference between layoff and furlough, furlough definition, furlough vs laid off, furlough definition, difference between layoff and furlough

Author: Reid is a contributor for theJub. He’s an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile