Layoff

The temporary severing of the employment relationship by the employer because of lack of work or the discontinuance of a function.

"A layoff temporarily suspends the contract of employment between the employer and the employee. In other words, a laid off employee may be called back to work. The employee retains his employment relationship for the duration of his layoff and the contractual relationship is maintained." (Commission des normes du travail, Layoff, permanent layoff, dismissal and resignation i>, Quebec, visited 2013-03-15)