When unemployed job seekers look for a new opportunity, it is important that they explain to prospective new employers why they are no longer employed. However, what frequently happens is that they say they were “let go” when in fact they were “laid off.”
Fired or Laid Off?
The important difference in these two explanations is that being ‘let go’ suggests that someone was fired for cause, while being “laid off” suggests the job seeker was released (often times along with other employees) due to an organization’s financial situation.
Being fired for cause – theft, insubordination, poor performance, absenteeism – has a much harsher impact on a job seeker’s ability to become re-employed. However, as the article, “Find a New Job after Being Fired for Cause,” states, while it isn’t easy, it is not insurmountable either.
Losing a job due to lay off, on the other hand, has a completely different impact on the job seeker’s job search. Perhaps it doesn’t feel different emotionally. Many people who are laid off go through strong emotions of separation. However, rebounding afterward is important to moving forward and being able to conduct a new job search.
Plus there are three very important distinctions between being fired and being laid off. First, if a worker is fired for cause, they generally are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Laid off workers, on the other hand, are eligible to receive benefits.
Next, in some cases, organizations will provide a severance package for laid off workers. Not so with those who are fired. Finally, laid-off workers may be recalled to their old job with their previous employer. Those who have been fired for cause will not have this same opportunity.
Finding a Job in Today’s Job Market
According to the NPR article, “The Hard Truth: Companies Don't Hire Unemployed,” there are five unemployed workers just waiting to apply for every job currently open in America. Even worse, according to the article, “Some employers won't hire jobless workers” some employers are excluding jobless workers from consideration for openings by including language in their online job postings such as “unemployed applicants will not be considered.” What this all boils down to is how difficult it is for job seekers to find employment if they are not currently employed.
Job seekers don’t need to make the job search process even tougher by confusing the terms “let go” and “laid off.” They need to be very clear about this distinction when they apply for work. Because when it all shakes out in the end, if there are two equal candidates, the one who was laid off is more likely to be offered the job than the one who was fired. And that’s why it is important to know the difference between being fired and being laid off.
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
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