Lockout

A lockout is a situation in which an employer temporarily prevents employees from working in response to a labor dispute, often involving negotiations over wages, working conditions, or contracts. It can also refer more broadly to the act of preventing access to a particular space or service.

Lockout meaning with examples

• During the recent contract negotiations, management initiated a lockout, leaving employees unable to access their workplace until an agreement was reached. The decision was controversial and sparked debates about labor rights and management practices.
• After several unsuccessful negotiation attempts for better safety conditions, the factory workers found themselves in a lockout. They protested outside the premises, demanding attention from the media and public to their plight as they sought safer working environments.
• In a corporate dispute over profit-sharing, the executives declared a lockout on the day of negotiations. This provoked a backlash from employees, who felt their livelihoods were being toyed with, raising questions about ethical corporate behavior during labor disputes.
• The sports franchise experienced a lockout when players and owners could not agree on contract terms. Fans were left disappointed as games were canceled, illustrating how labor disagreements can affect not just employees but entire communities.