terminated

Beginner 👥 Human Resources

Definition

The HR euphemism for firing someone that sounds vaguely threatening, like something Arnold Schwarzenegger would say before shooting a robot. Companies use this word because apparently 'fired' sounds too honest and 'let go' makes it sound like you're releasing a butterfly into the wild. When your employment is terminated, you're technically ended, ceased, and discontinued—which is exactly how your career feels in that moment.

Example Usage

Following the restructuring initiative, several team members were terminated, which is corporate speak for 'we fired people but want to sound clinical about it.'

Source: Human resources terminology

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👥 Human Resources

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