furloughed

Everyday

1. (euphemism, work) sent home from work for a time without pay or with reduced pay, because the employer has no work or money; it may lead to losing the job. tree →
2. (military, old) given a leave of absence: «a soldier on furlough». tree →

In the lessons

Business and government word that sounds temporary and gentle compared with «laid off»; very common in news during economic crises. Official, US and UK. The military sense is old-fashioned.

Examples

• Dad was furloughed when the factory shut for three months. tree →
• Thousands of workers were furloughed during the crisis. tree →
• Being furloughed means you don't work for a while but you might go back. tree →
• The government paid part of the wages of furloughed staff. tree →
• Mum's café furloughed all its waiters. tree →
• The soldier came home on furlough. tree →
• Some furloughed workers never got their jobs back. tree →
• If a worker earns 400 pounds a week and is furloughed on 80 percent pay, he gets 320 pounds. tree →

Note

Trap: it sounds temporary, but it can end in losing the job. Plain words: sent home from work, temporarily laid off. In maths, check what percentage of pay is kept.