Being furloughed means being placed on a temporary, unpaid leave of absence from work. Employees who are furloughed remain employed by their company or organization, but they do not work or receive their regular pay during the furlough period. The duration can range from a few days to several months, and furloughed employees usually retain some benefits, such as health insurance, during this time. The key aspect of furloughs is that they are temporary, with the expectation that employees will return to their roles once the furlough ends. This differs from layoffs, where employees are permanently separated from the company.
Furloughs are often used by employers facing financial constraints, seasonal demand changes, or operational challenges to reduce costs without permanently losing trained employees. During the furlough, employees may be eligible for unemployment benefits, depending on their state's rules.
In summary, getting furloughed means temporarily losing work and pay but not the job itself, with the aim to return once conditions improve.
