voluntary departure
VOL-un-ter-ee di-PAR-cher
/ˈvɒləntəri dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/
The act of an employee choosing to leave their job, rather than being forced to leave.
Emphasizes the employee's agency in the decision to leave, distinguishing it from employer-initiated terminations.
The story behind the word. This is a descriptive phrase. "Voluntary" comes from the Latin voluntas, meaning "will, desire." "Departure" comes from the Old French departir, meaning "to divide, separate, leave." So, a "voluntary departure" is a leaving that is done according to one's own will or desire.
Word relationships
- resignation: 'Resignation' is the act; 'voluntary departure' is the broader category.
- quitting: More informal.
- involuntary termination: Being fired, not by choice.
- dismissal: Being fired.
Commonly confused with
- involuntary termination: 'Voluntary departure' is the employee's choice; 'involuntary termination' is the employer's choice.
Word family
- voluntarily (adverb): Done by one's own free will.
- depart (verb): To leave.
Collocations
- high voluntary departure rate
- encourage voluntary departure
Example sentences
- "The company reported a high rate of voluntary departure among its junior staff, prompting a review of workplace culture." Distinguishing from other types of leaving.
- "Her voluntary departure was unexpected, as she had always expressed satisfaction with her role." A specific case.
Memory hook
A voluntary departure means you voluntarily depart on your own terms. Leave by choice.
When not to use
Don't use if the employee is fired; use 'involuntary termination.'
Fun facts
- Companies sometimes offer "voluntary departure" programs with incentives to reduce headcount without resorting to layoffs.
Related words
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