I still remember the day our team received an email about company restructuring. My heart sank as I read that some employees were losing their jobs.
But while writing a post about it, I paused for a moment—should it be laid off or layed off?
I knew this confusion wasn’t just mine.
Thousands of people search for laid off or layed off every month to understand the correct spelling, meaning, and usage.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything clearly: meaning, examples, synonyms, common mistakes, and how to use laid off confidently in both writing and speech.
Quick Answer
✅ Laid off → Correct
❌ Layed off → Incorrect
Meaning:
To terminate an employee temporarily or permanently due to company reasons such as restructuring, budget cuts, or downsizing—not personal performance.
Examples:
- Many employees were laid off after the merger. ✅
- ❌ Many employees were layed off after the merger.
The Origin of Laid Off or Layed Off
The phrase comes from the verb “lay off.”
- Lay off = stop employing someone temporarily or permanently
- Past tense = laid off
The incorrect form layed off appears because people mistakenly apply regular verb rules (play → played) to lay, which is actually an irregular verb:
- Lay → laid → laid off
- ❌ Lay → layed (incorrect)
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English.
| Word | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Laid off | ✅ Correct | ✅ Correct |
| Layed off | ❌ Incorrect | ❌ Incorrect |
Which Form Should You Use?
Always use laid off when referring to employment termination.
Layed off is never correct.
Examples:
- Employees were laid off due to budget cuts.
- Hundreds were laid off after the merger.
Common Mistakes with Laid Off or Layed Off
❌ Writing layed off instead of laid off
❌ Confusing it with phrases like laid down or laid in bed
Correct examples:
- The company laid off 50 staff members. ✅
- Several employees were laid off after restructuring. ✅
Laid Off Meaning (Detailed)
Laid off means:
- Job loss due to company reasons
- Temporary or permanent dismissal
- Not related to employee performance
Example sentences:
- She was laid off after the department downsized.
- Several workers were laid off due to budget cuts.
Laid Off or Layed Off Examples
| Sentence Meaning | Correct Form |
|---|---|
| Employees lost jobs due to downsizing | Laid off ✅ |
| Workers were released for budget issues | Laid off ✅ |
| Employees were layed off last month | ❌ Incorrect |
More examples:
- After the merger, many employees were laid off from work.
- The CEO announced permanent layoffs across departments.
Laid Off Synonyms
| Synonym | Context |
|---|---|
| Let go | Informal / business |
| Terminated | Formal / legal |
| Downsized | Corporate restructuring |
| Dismissed | General employment |
| Released | Neutral / informal |
Comparison Table: Laid Off vs Layed Off
| Feature | Laid Off | Layed Off |
|---|---|---|
| Correct form | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Meaning | Job termination | None |
| Usage | Business, HR, news | Incorrect |
| Grammar | Correct | Spelling error |
Important Concepts Explained
Laid or Layed in Bed
People often confuse laid and layed in non-business contexts.
✅ Laid in bed → Correct
❌ Layed in bed → Incorrect
Example:
- I laid in bed all morning. ✅
- ❌ I layed in bed all morning.
Laid or Layed
✅ Laid = past tense of lay
❌ Layed = incorrect spelling
Example:
- She laid the book on the table. ✅
- ❌ She layed the book on the table.
Laid Down or Layed Down
✅ Laid down → Correct
❌ Layed down → Incorrect
Example:
- He laid down the keys on the counter. ✅
- ❌ He layed down the keys.
FAQs
Which is correct: laid off or layed off?
✅ Laid off is correct.
What does laid off mean?
Employee dismissal due to company reasons.
Can layed off ever be used?
❌ No, it is always incorrect.
Is laid off used in both UK and US English?
✅ Yes.
Example sentence?
Hundreds of employees were laid off after the merger.
Conclusion
The difference between laid off and layed off is simple but important.
Always use laid off when referring to job loss. Layed off is a spelling mistake and should never appear in professional, academic, or business writing.
Mastering related phrases like laid down, laid in bed, and understanding laid vs layed improves clarity and credibility.
Final verdict:
✅ Laid off is always correct.
❌ Layed off should always be avoided.
Mark Nichol is a professional writer and grammar-focused content creator at Grammiffy, where he explains English usage, punctuation, and common writing mistakes in a clear and practical way.
With a reader-friendly approach, Mark helps digital learners improve sentence structure and everyday writing skills with confidence.
