If workers are put on short time, they are asked to work fewer hours than the normal working week, because their employer can not afford to pay them a full-time wage.
Workers across the country have been put on short time because of the slump in demand.
Most manufacturers have had to introduce short-time working.
See full dictionary entry for short
short-time
short1
short time in British English
or short-time working
noun
a system of working, usually for a temporary period, when employees are required to work and be paid for fewer than their normal hours per week due to a shortage of work
Examples of 'short time' in a sentence
short time
This was a very short time period given its complexity.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Population changes now are occurring within exceedingly short time periods.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING IN TURBULENT TIMES (1980)
Other car manufacturers are working on short time.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Few had enough savings to support themselves for a short time off work.
The Sun (2007)
This may not be understood by those who come to our country for a short time only.
Edward Beauclerk Maurice THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS: Coming of Age in the Arctic (2004)
It helped move the record along as it was a lot of hard work in a short time.
The Sun (2011)
You do have a short time period in which you can take back faulty goods and demand a refund.
The Sun (2014)
In addition, many banks are favouring a shorter time period to lend money.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Give them work and wages as long as you can, and work short time rather than close down.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But they'd be willing to bet their mortgage that things would be back to normal in a short time.
Christianity Today (2000)
He did a great job in the short time I worked with him.
The Sun (2012)
He did a great job in the short time I worked with him and he played well for me.