Is getting laid off the same as getting fired?

[democracyindanger]

In the final calculation, is there any significant difference? Should people who have been laid off refer to it as such--inferring a non-performance-related ixnaying of the aycheckpaying , or just admit that they got fired?

[KitchenWitch]

1. I think people who get laid off, often get severence pay.

[democracyindanger]

5. But if you're told you're

being laid off without severance pay--which happens a lot--aren't you really being told you're being fired with a happy face?

[KitchenWitch]

9. It depends, are others laid off with you?

[democracyindanger]

11. Usually happens in a group

so does everybody who's been laid off share the same stigma of being fired-by-another-name, in your personal view...all things being equal?

[KitchenWitch]

12. Groups of laid off people - no stigma

one at a time, more likely fired than laid off, IMHO.

[Akoto]

2. Well, I'm no expert on the usage of terms, but ...

I would say there's a difference.

To me, getting laid off implies that you were dismissed from your job for corporate reasons. They no longer needed your department, had to cut back on employees for financial reasons, etc. It's not just limited to you, either.

Being fired implies that they dismissed you specifically, for one reason or another, and that might look negative on your resume.

For example, when Ford laid off all those people, they weren't necessarily doing a bad job. It was a corporate decision.

[DS1]

3. Besides the massive stigma attached? No, not really.

But being fired meant you personally screwed up, being laid off just means your position was eliminated.

[democracyindanger]

8. THAT'S the word..."Stigma"

Do you think, in general, if somebody tells you they've been "laid off", do you assume that they are budgetary victims or fired for cause?

[DS1]

13. Budgets, 100%

unless they give me some reason to suspect their integrity, at which point I may or may not verify whether a person has been laid off or fired

[Left Is Write]

15. I agree about the stigma, but...

Being fired doesn't necessarily mean you screwed up. It could mean your boss is a sexist idiot who had no idea how to run a radio station as evidenced by the fact that he eventually ran it into the ground.

Just, you know, as an example. :D

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Not the same thing

although there are ways around it, if you get laid off in most states, your employer cannot fill your position without offering it back to you first...there are other restrictions as well and different terms for final payment and payment of commissions...if one is fired, it should be for some cause...getting laid off is not usually a function of poor work performance although it can be...so no...on an application for another job, it is always better to have been laid off rather than fired even though federal law (and case law resulting from challenges) can preclude or discourage your past employer from telling future employers you were fired

[eyepaddle]

6. I know 'bout 'em both!

There's a difference.

The most important one being you can collect unemployment from a lay-off. Also, in many cases you get called back from a lay-off.

Getting fired is when they look at YOU and decide you gatta go.

[KitchenWitch]

10. You can collect unenjoyment if you get fired too, if you were not fired

"for cause". Example, getting fired for a "bad attitude" - the person can collect unenjoyment. Fired for stealing - no unenjoyment.

[politicat]

7. In terms of unemployment, it matters.

Some reasons for firing mean that you don't qualify for unemployment compensation (depending on state, reason, etc.) Being laid off means that you do qualify for unemployment.

As far as severence goes, most states require either a two week notice or two weeks' pay in lieu of notice for either a firing or a lay-off.

[DrGonzoLives]

14. There is a difference

Being fired implies that you have done something wrong or have a history of doing so. Laid off just means you're unlucky. Either way, you get unemployment.

[yurbud]

16. No, getting fired means a higher probability of fired going postal

unless they know what "laid off" means, in which case it's exactly the same.

[quisp]

17. Fired is "release with cause", I think...

like you did something wrong or broke a rule.

Laid off is different.

And as far as unemployment insurance there is a difference.

[lukasahero]

18. Big difference in the hiring world

Lay-offs are happening all the time now with all the company mergers. Whole departments get let go. Firing happens to individuals and is almost always for cause. There is no need to hide a lay-off from a potential employer but tread carefully in bringing up a firing.

It's also not a good idea to say you've been laid off when you've really been fired. If pressed you can explain getting fired in such a way as to minimize potential damage to your job prospect. Lying cannot be explained away (if you even get the opportunity to try).

[Left Is Write]

19. I just want to point out...

that there are fields where employment is highly subjective, and getting fired does not necessarily mean the person did something wrong.

(Yes, I'm feeling sensitive, because I once got fired from a radio job, and I did nothing wrong. I was subsequently told by a very good radio friend of mine that there are only two kinds of DJs: those who have been fired, and those who will be fired. Fortunately, after my firing I went on to a very successful run at a good radio station in another state.)

[pitohui]

20. no getting laid off is through no fault of your own

for example i worked in an office that was completely shut down by the home office

we were not fired, we were laid off

fired is when you didn't do your job or you stole the paperclips or viewed porno at work or something