Word Usage
Mary W. Ng
June 26, 2009
layoff, lay-off, lay off
Layoff or lay-off is a noun meaning “the act of dismissing an employee, especially temporarily, because there is no work for the employee to do”. Lay off is a phrasal verb meaning “to dismiss an employee, especially temporarily, because there is no work for the employee to do”.
| Incorrect: | The region intended to lay-off up to 1,600 employees. |
| Correct: | The region intended to lay off up to 1,600 employees. |