When a person is laid off, it means they are no longer employed. They may have been with the company for years, but due to restructuring, many employees are being let go. Getting laid off is not the same as getting fired – it’s usually a result of the company downsizing or going through a difficult financial period. A furlough is an extended leave of absence from a job – this usually happens when there’s a shortage of work. Employees on furlough still have their jobs, but they’re not receiving any pay during this time.