Did you ever notice that while there are few words or phrases for hiring someone – variations of "You're hired!" or "Welcome on board!" are pretty much it – there are many words to describe a departure. We believe that the reason for this is that there are so many more possible emotions, sensitivities, and complexities surrounding leaving a job than being offered a job. But without further ado, here's our list:

axed (or given the axe)

asked not to come back (or told not to come back)

cut back

decruited

dehired

didn't renew his/her/their/your contract

didn't renew his/her/their/your option

dismissed

dissolved

downsized

eliminated

experienced an involuntary reduction in workforce

fired

given the boot

given the pink slip

given notice

given his/her/their/your walking papers

his/her/their/your services are (were) no longer required

laid off or "laid off"

let go

liquidated

made obsolete (or became obsolete)

made redundant

outsourced

outplaced

put on permanent furlough

put on permanent leave

reduced

released

relieved of his/her/their/your duties

replaced

restructured