TOEIC Vocabulary - company workforce & layoff
In this article, you will learn about TOEIC vocabulary words related to company workforce & layoff topic. A good command of English vocabulary is extremely important in scoring well on all sections of the TOEIC. We strongly recommend that you study these vocabulary words to prepare for the TOEIC exam. While studying vocabulary words, you should write the words in a notebook, say the words and sentences many times, and try to create your own setences using the words.
between jobs
play_circle_filledThe phrase "between jobs" is an informal way to say that someone is currently unemployed but is implying that they have left a previous job and are seeking a new one.
- I'm not currently employed; I'm between jobs.
- Many recent college graduates are job hunting, they are essentially between jobs.
jobless
/ˈdʒɑːb.ləs/ play_circle_filledIf you're jobless, you don't currently have a job.。
- The economic downturn has left many people jobless.
- He has been jobless for several months now and is actively seeking new employment opportunities.
- Due to the global economic downturn, many people found themselves suddenly jobless.
- The high unemployment rate means that many skilled workers are currently jobless.
lay off
/leɪ//ɑːf/ play_circle_filled- The store is overstaffed and will probably begin to lay off some workers.
- For the past few years, we were overstaffed in some departments and not as competitive as we should have been. We will probably begin to lay off some workers this year.
M: How many people do you think will be laid off in this merger? W: I'm not sure. All I heard was that they are going to let go of a large number of employees. |
out of work
play_circle_filled"Out of work" is a phrase used to describe someone who is currently unemployed or not engaged in a job. This condition can be due to various reasons, such as having been laid off, quitting, or other circumstances that lead to temporary or long-term unemployment.
- He's been out of work since the company did layoffs.
- Many people are struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate because they are out of work.
overstaffed
/əʊvəˈstɑːft/ play_circle_filledIf a shop, business, or organization is overstaffed, it has more employees than needed.
The store is overstaffed and will probably begin to lay off some workers.
For the past few years, we were overstaffed in some departments and not as competitive as we should have been.
understaffed
/ʌndəˈstɑːft/ play_circle_filledIf a shop, business, or organization is understaffed, it does not have enough employees.
If a shop, business, or organization is overstaffed, it has more employees than needed.
The cafeteria is a little understaffed.
The restaurant was terribly understaffed last night. We had to wait for a long time to get the menu, to get our starters, to get our mains and finally to get the bill.
The National Park system is strapped for money, underfinanced, and understaffed.
Sue complained that her department is understaffed, overworked, and underpaid.
Sharon serves as a caretaker at understaffed adoption centers and has adopted four children into her own family.
Short-staffed = understaffed：
I have heard that the café is short-staffed, maybe you could apply there for a part-time job?
We were waiting for ages for our food to arrive in the restaurant. It seemed like they were short-staffed. I could see the irritation grew among guests at neighbouring tables during the night as well.
unemployed
/un-em-ployed/ [ah2.n.eh0.m.p.l.oy1.d] /ʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/ play_circle_filledUnemployed = jobless = without a paid job but available to work. (Adjective).
- I'm currently unemployed.
- I've only been unemployed for a few weeks.
- While unemployment has dropped significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 70 percent of women over 40 who are still unemployed have been out of work for six months or more.
- The Ministry of Labor is providing subsidies to foreigners who are underemployed or unemployed due to the serious outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Taiwan.
- Among unemployed adults, women 25 to 44 were almost three times as likely as men to not be working because of child care demands
- I made a major career change earlier this year because I was tired of having a 9-5 job. So I'm between jobs at the moment.
- Because I'm between jobs, I'm spending more time with my cat at home.
- Just tell the recruiter that you're between jobs. He doesn't need to know that you were let go.
- Well, I have been jobless for a few months. I lost my job due to department-wide lay-offs. A lot of my coworkers were let go - even the chief executive of my company stepped down. And unfortunately, I'm still job hunting.
unemployment
/un-em-ploy-ment/ [ah2.n.ih0.m.p.l.oy1.m.ah0.n.t] /ʌnɪmˈplɔɪm(ə)ntt/ play_circle_filledDefinition: The number or proportion of unemployed people
Example sentences:
- Critics perceived it as a desperate government policy to hide the soaring unemployment figures of the day. It would lower unemployment figures because more people would be able to do it
workforce
/ˈwəːkfɔːs/ play_circle_filledWorkforce = the group of people who work in a company, industry, country, etc.
- Japan's workforce will be 20% smaller by 2040. This prediction is based on Japan's many years of declining birth rates and subsequent aging population.
- The majority of factories in the region have a workforce of 50 to 100.
- The company operates over 200 restaurants in 18 countries, with a workforce of over 5000.
- The salon chain closed 120 stores and cut its workforce to 8,500.
We've been in the business for over 20 years, and we know our strong reputation is a direct result of the quality of our workforce. We're always on the lookout to bring more talent onto our team. If you're a hardworking individual looking to meet your potential in a challenging and stimulating work environment, then you're in the right place. |
ax jobs
/æks//dʒɑːbs/ play_circle_filledTo cut jobs = to ax jobs/to shed jobs/to slash jobs = to fire employees
- Sony Pictures Entertainment will cut about 1,700 jobs, according to a report published Wednesday.
- The company confirmed Monday it is to ax about 1,600 jobs across the country to slash costs. Salaries for all remaining staff will be frozen.
- Times are hard, even profitable companies are shedding jobs.
- The company's decision to slash 10 percent of its workforce comes as it struggles with weak TV sales and swelling losses.
be made redundant
/bɪ/ /meɪd//rɪˈdʌn.dənt/ play_circle_filledBe made redundant = be let go = be sacked = get sacked = lose the job
- Stacy's husband was made redundant last year and now he is working part-time as an Uber driver.
M: How many people do you think will be laid off in this merger? W: I'm not sure. All I heard was that they are going to let go of a large number of employees. |
- Jimmy was let go due to his poor performance.
- Stanley got sacked since he was caught stealing money from the cash register.
- Many employees are let go because the companies decide to downsize. Also, when a company gets bought out, employees are made redundant as well. While some people are sacked simply because they are not doing their job well or often turning up late for work, others leave their jobs voluntarily.
cut jobs
/kʌt//dʒɑːbs/ play_circle_filledTo cut jobs = to ax jobs/to shed jobs/to slash jobs = to fire employees
- Sony Pictures Entertainment will cut about 1,700 jobs, according to a report published Wednesday.
- The company confirmed Monday it is to ax about 1,600 jobs across the country to slash costs. Salaries for all remaining staff will be frozen.
- Times are hard, even profitable companies are shedding jobs.
- The company's decision to slash 10 percent of its workforce comes as it struggles with weak TV sales and swelling losses.
downsize
/ˈdaʊnsʌɪz/ play_circle_filledDownsize= to reduce the number of employees usually for saving money
- The plight of the economy is forcing businesses to downsize.
- The company is planning to downsize next year.
- The company has downsized its staff.
- She was downsized after 15 years with the company.
A: I'm really glad to be back in Kaohsiung. What happened to the gift shop that used to be here? B: Oh, that shop went belly up. It struggled for many years. The owners did try to downsize, but eventually, it still got into debt so the owner just decided to throw in the towel and closed the shop. A: What a shame! It was such a nice store. |
Go belly up = go bankrupt Throw in the towel = surrender |
slash jobs
/slæʃ//dʒɑːbs/ play_circle_filledTo cut jobs = to ax jobs/to shed jobs/to slash jobs = to fire employees
- The company confirmed Monday it will slash about 1,600 jobs across the country to slash costs. Salaries for all remaining staff will be frozen.
- The company's decision to slash 10 percent of its workforce comes as it struggles with weak TV sales and swelling losses.
workforce reduction
/ˈwəːkfɔːs/ /rɪˈdʌkʃ(ə)n/ play_circle_filledWorkforce reduction = headcount reduction/job reduction/job cuts/layoffs/downsizing = the act of reducing the number of employees
- The latest workforce reductions spanned across all departments and all seniority levels.
- The latest workforce reductions at Tesco, which is Britain's biggest retailer, affect about 4,500 people across its city-center UK stores.
- The main reason behind the workforce reductions at OneTech is the declining market share of its phones.
To cut jobs = to ax jobs/to shed jobs/to slash jobs = to fire employees
- Sony Pictures Entertainment will cut about 1,700 jobs, according to a report published Wednesday.
- The company confirmed Monday it is to ax about 1,600 jobs across the country to slash costs. Salaries for all remaining staff will be frozen.
- Times are hard, even profitable companies are shedding jobs.
- The company's decision to slash 10 percent of its workforce comes as it struggles with weak TV sales and swelling losses.
TOEIC Vocabulary Exercise
Ready to test out the words we've gone over? Let's jump into a fun vocab challenge! You'll listen to English sentences and try to type them out. Think of it as a brain workout! Doing this can really help you remember the words better and boost your speaking and writing skills. Plus, it'll make you more confident in tests and everyday chats. Sounds good? Let's dive in!
play_circle_outline Start Training