Difference Between Laid Off, Fired, and Terminated (And What To Say)
Difference Between Laid Off, Fired, and Terminated (And What To Say)
Difference Between Laid Off, Fired, and Terminated (And What To Say)
By Biron Clark
April 28, 2020
Summary
There are some key differences between being fired, terminated, and laid off, and it's important to know the definitions before deciding what to say to employers.
Why this matters: There are some risks that come with saying you were laid off when you were actually fired for performance or policy violations.
So in this article, we'll look at the definitions of being fired vs. laid off vs. terminated, and what to say when you are fired or laid off to find a new job in less time.
Getting laid off is different, and means that the company eliminated your position for strategic or financial reasons and not through any fault of yours.
Avoid using the word "Terminated" because it often implies that you were fired and not laid off, which is not what you want employers to think.
You can see both of the examples above include this, which eliminates any doubt the hiring manager might have about whether you were fired vs. laid off.
So the decision to lie and say you were laid off when you weren't is up to you! But it is a lie, and there is a big difference between being fired and being laid off, which is why I wrote this article.
In the section above, I discussed whether you can say you were laid off when you were actually fired.
You're not being honest if you tell an employer that you were laid off when you were let go for performance-related issues.
With the right strategies, you can bounce back whether you were fired or laid off, and find a great job to continue your career.
Reference
Clark, B. (2020, April 28). Difference Between Laid Off, Fired, and Terminated (And What To Say). Retrieved June 28, 2020, from https://careersidekick.com/laid-off-vs-fired/