Furlough

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A furlough (IPA: /ˈfɝloʊ/) is temporary leave of absence, especially from duty in the armed services or from a prison term. In these cases, a furlough is a vacation. In some Commonwealth countries (such as Australia and New Zealand), furlough is an employee benefit known as Long service leave.

A furlough may also be part of a work release program.

A furlough may be a long term lay-off from a railroad.

A furlough is sometimes involuntary because of work conditions. In this case, the furlough is more like a temporary layoff.

Furlough has long referred to the period of time that missionaries spend in their home country after they have been on the field. For example, they live in an African country for four years as a missionary, and then they go back to their home country to rest, raise support, and tell people who have supported them what they have been doing. In recent years, some missions agencies have instead started using new terms such as home ministry assignment^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] See also

• Long service leave
• Downsizing

[edit] External links

• Guidance and Information on Furloughs from the United States Office of Personnel Management
• Furlough: The worst cockpit terror of them all! What if it happens to you? - by Patrick Smith