What Does Furlough Mean?

The root meaning of the word furlough is more or less the same in each of the following cases, although the sense in which the word is applied provides the final specific definition of its four alternate usages. In military speak, a furlough is the name used to describe an authorised leave of absence from military duties, such as time off to visit family. It can also refer to a leave of absence to a prison inmate, granted temporary release to a funeral, for instance.

The term furlough can also be used when referring to the actual permission papers used to authorise the leave of absence, in both the above mentioned instances.

In the United States, a furlough is used in the business world, and points to a mandatory, unpaid leave of absence. This is similar in practice to a lay off, albeit usually there is a predetermined return date agreed between the employer and the employee; this could be in the situation where a hotel refurbishment or a perceived temporary downturn in the market of the business, with which the employer caters for.

Originating in the 1620s, furlough is derived from the Dutch 'verlof' literally translates syllable for syllable as 'for leave'.

The term furlough basically is provisional leave or absence, taken particularly from job in the armed forces or from a prison period. In this circumstance, a furlough generally is a vacation.

In a few commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand, furlough generally is a member of staff benefit which is known as Long service leave. A furlough can even be a section of a work free program. A furlough is at times involuntary due to work situation. Under these circumstances, the furlough is more like a short-term layoff.

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