Definition

Noun: A temporary ban or suspension on the recruitment of new employees by a company or organization. It is a cost-control measure, typically implemented during periods of financial difficulty, restructuring, or economic uncertainty.

Usage

A "hiring freeze" is used to describe an official policy that halts the filling of open positions. It is often announced by management or human resources. * The company announced a hiring freeze for all non-essential roles due to the economic downturn. * During the hiring freeze, departments must manage with their current staff.

Advanced Usage

• To implement/impose a hiring freeze: To officially put the freeze into effect.
  • The board decided to implement a hiring freeze immediately.
• To be under a hiring freeze: To be in a state where the freeze is active.
  • The entire division is under a hiring freeze until the end of the quarter.
• To lift a hiring freeze: To end the suspension of hiring.
  • Management hopes to lift the hiring freeze once profits improve.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiring (n.): The act or process of employing someone.
• Freeze (n.): In a business context, a general suspension of an activity (e.g., , ).
• Headcount freeze: A very similar term, specifically focusing on not increasing the total number of employees.

Synonyms

• Recruitment ban
• Recruitment suspension
• Staffing halt

Antonyms

• Hiring spree
• Recruitment drive

Related Phrases

• Selective hiring freeze: A freeze that applies only to certain departments or job levels, not the entire organization.
  • The hiring freeze is selective, allowing critical IT roles to be filled.
• Hard freeze vs. soft freeze: A "hard freeze" typically means no exceptions, while a "soft freeze" may allow for critical positions to be filled with special approval.
  • They called it a soft freeze, so we can still request an exception for the lead engineer position.

Noun

1. a freeze on hiring