layoff

Definition

Corporate-speak for 'we're getting rid of you through no fault of your own'—basically mass terminations triggered by budget cuts or business downturns, not performance issues. The nicer-sounding cousin of getting fired.

Example Usage

After the merger, the layoff announcements affected 15% of the workforce, which the CEO called 'rightsizing' while sipping an espresso.

Source: Merriam-Webster via Free Dictionary API

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intern

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