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# voluntary severance

phrase (noun phrase, «voluntary severance», uncountable; also «voluntary redundancy» UK)

«voluntary severance» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, official) agreeing to leave your job in return for a sum of money, usually when a company wants to cut staff.

### In the lessons

Companies and HR departments use it to make job cuts sound like a free choice and less painful; workers often feel pushed into it. Common in UK, US, Irish, Australian business and news language.

### Examples

- (news) The firm offered voluntary severance to 500 workers.
- (HR letter) You may apply for voluntary severance before Friday.
- (gossip) He took voluntary severance and opened a café.
- (union) Voluntary severance is just job cuts by another name.
- (chat) dad took voluntary severance, he's home all day now
- (maths) A payment of 2 weeks' pay per year of work: 8 years × 2 weeks = 16 weeks' pay.

### Note

Trap: «voluntary» = by choice; «severance» = cutting off. It may not feel voluntary. Not the same as being fired for bad work.