Furlough

A Furlough is a temporary leave of absence from work, usually without pay, granted to an employee or, sometimes, a group of employees. This term frequently applies to military personnel, but it's also used in civilian contexts, especially during economic downturns or organizational restructuring. A furlough's purpose varies; it can be to reduce operational costs, manage workforce size, or allow for specific personnel breaks. The length of a Furlough can differ from a few days to several months, affecting employee income and potentially the company's ability to function. It's generally distinct from a vacation or sick leave, reflecting a period of inactivity decided and dictated by external factors, such as economic problems or other business decisions.

Furlough meaning with examples

• Due to budget cuts, the entire department was placed on Furlough for two weeks. Employees were required to stay home without pay, impacting project deadlines and causing some inconvenience. The company hoped to reduce expenditure without permanent layoffs. The HR department sent a detailed notification describing the necessary guidelines.
• After completing a six-month tour of duty, Sergeant Miller was granted a Furlough to visit his family back in his home state. He eagerly anticipated spending time with his wife and children. During this time, he had permission to be away from the army. He planned the visit the moment it was offered.
• The museum staff took a collective Furlough during the summer months, due to low visitor numbers. This enabled them to continue operations with limited financial strain. The museum closed its doors for five days in total. Several volunteers were kept to do specific tasks in the interim.
• During a recent company restructuring, some employees were placed on a mandatory Furlough, awaiting their re-assignments to different departments. This was done as an alternative to layoffs and helped the company navigate the uncertainty. Employee morale did take a hit for a while though. It was an ongoing process.