featherbedding

[ feth-er-bed-ing ]
/ ˈfɛð ərˌbɛd ɪŋ /

noun

the practice of requiring an employer to hire unnecessary employees, to assign unnecessary work, or to limit production according to a union rule or safety statute: Featherbedding forced the railroads to employ firemen on diesel locomotives.

Origin of featherbedding

First recorded in 1920–25; feather + bedding

Definition for featherbedding (2 of 2)

featherbed
[ feth-er-bed ]
/ ˈfɛð ərˌbɛd /

verb (used with or without object), feath·er·bed·ded, feath·er·bed·ding.

to subject to or engage in featherbedding.

Origin of featherbed

First recorded in 1945–50; back formation from featherbedding

British Dictionary definitions for featherbedding

featherbedding
/ (ˈfɛðəˌbɛdɪŋ) /

noun

the practice of limiting production, duplicating work, or overmanning, esp in accordance with a union contract, in order to prevent redundancies or create jobs

Cultural definitions for featherbedding

featherbedding

The practice of forcing an employer to hire more workers than are needed for a job.