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DH has been furloughed in the past. It's happened twice (once in 2008 and once in 2012), but never led to layoffs at either company. In 2008 there were rolling furloughs at his company, and people were given a two week window that they would be furloughed, which gave the company the opportunity to reduce production during the worst parts of the recession without laying anyone off. In 2012 his current company told everyone to plan two weeks throughout the year without pay, so he spaced his days out and we barely felt it, but that doesn't sound like what you're dealing with. Obviously no one knows what's going to happen in this recession, but things I would think of as indicators of how this might go are:

1. What's the outlook for your industry?
2. Are they laying other people off?
3. Did they give you an end date for your furlough (either hard or soft) or is it open ended?

The way I see it, if they had wanted to lay you off they would have, so it's likely you'll still have a job when things start to get back to normal depending on how long this lasts.

@Ajsmommy: it’s a really positive sign to me that they’re paying part and giving you the option the use pto—both times my husband was furloughed it was without any pay options. The company isn’t hoarding cash, so hopefully they feel good about their revenue/cash reserve position and the probability that the business will bounce back, which hopefully means no layoffs. Fingers crossed that at the end of the four weeks you’re back to work as normal.

Just wanted to say this sucks and I'm sorry for what you're going through. I did hear on NPR that there are a lot of furloughs because nobody knows what's going to happen, more companies are furloughing vs laying off because when this is all over, they won't be out of qualified workers. They also said that being furloughed, workers can keep their health insurance benefits which is super important right now just in case.

@JJ2626: that’s such a weird response because they still have to pay them for the day.

I am 95% sure I am being furloughed when my maternity leave ends in two weeks, since most of my company was. Long term I really just want to make sure my company makes it through and we can all go back! It's super stressful; when I first found out a ton of people were getting furloughed I started freaking out and big time panicking. HR wouldn't confirm my status though, probably until the week my leave ends.

I am trying to remain calm by making plans. I know I can apply for UI in my state. I was told whatever package that was pass will give out even more money, and for longer. The only problem is the unemployment office is so swamped. You can apply online but it takes a call to verify and that's the part a lot of people are stuck at.

I have 4-5 months income saved. I have extra emergency money AND extra savings... It's just, who wants to dig into that? So I'm hoping with unemployment and my husband's income (which is less), we will make it through. I also just worry about how long this will be... 2-3 more months? Ok. More than that, I really will start to worry as my husband's income might also be in jeopardy.

@Ajsmommy: Pretty much. In my mind furlough is kinda like FMLA; you have the same job to go back to. But I do worry if this prolonged if my company will survive... I’m kinda hoping our industry (fashion) is not totally dead and I’ll be needed so I can at least WFH.

Hang in there, we are in this together!