An employer might furlough an employee, or temporarily lay him or her off, if the business needs a short-term solution to financial problems. Most furloughed employees can eventually return. Furloughs have greatly increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as nonessential businesses temporarily shut down. If your employer furloughed you, you may or may not qualify for unemployment benefits in California based on the situation. These cases are complex, with each dependent on the unique circumstances.