In UK nomenclature being made redundant, rounds of redundancies, and layoffs are used interchangeably. A percentage of the workforce loses their job because of circumstances outside their control.
To be fired/sacked though, that very specifically means you did bad; you failed to do your job.
As an American, I also don’t like the term “layoff” because it sounds temporary. I prefer the term “downsize” when referring to groups of people, or “let go” for individuals.
This. There’s a legal distinction between redundancy and other forms of termination that creates some important practical differences.
You can’t just fire people without cause (e.g. gross misconduct) in the UK; it has to go through a redundancy process, and those affected get a compensation package from the company.
In UK nomenclature being made redundant, rounds of redundancies, and layoffs are used interchangeably. A percentage of the workforce loses their job because of circumstances outside their control.
To be fired/sacked though, that very specifically means you did bad; you failed to do your job.
It’s probably similar in Australia?
Tbf, I didn’t see the .au in the URL.
Good point on the distinction between layoff and firing though. Although I still dislike “redundant” as a synonym for the former.
As an American, I also don’t like the term “layoff” because it sounds temporary. I prefer the term “downsize” when referring to groups of people, or “let go” for individuals.
This. There’s a legal distinction between redundancy and other forms of termination that creates some important practical differences.
You can’t just fire people without cause (e.g. gross misconduct) in the UK; it has to go through a redundancy process, and those affected get a compensation package from the company.