Tip No. 165
Q. What is the legal difference between being "Laid Off" and being "Fired"?
A. The dictionary's definition of "fired" is [adj.] having lost your job. Listed synonyms include: discharged, dismissed, laid-off, pink-slipped, and unemployed. As you can see, there is some overlap. As for a legal definition, there is no listing for "fired" or "laid off" in a legal dictionary. There are terms such as "wrongful termination," "at will employment" and "discrimination" that touch on these issues, however. If you still have some question about this, it might be a good idea for you to consult with an attorney.
CMI Career Management International
If you have a question for CMI, please send email to tips@careermanagement.com with "Question for CMI" in the subject line.
TipsArchive | About Our Counselors | Career Management International