[bleah1000]

It would be easy to argue that a furlough is worse. It gives this false sense of hope that airbnb might be able to hire them back. However, travel is likely not going to recover until next year at the earliest since a lot of countries have severe restrictions. People are also likely not traveling much so maybe Christmas travel might make things better.

Unless airbnb was raking in the money, they've probably got a huge loss on the books now and they won't be making money any time so even a six month furlough would seem unlikely long enough to be able to hire back all of the people laid off.

It's actually better to say, start looking for a job now, and here's a three month severence package, then say hold off on looking, we might be able to bring you back.