Expressions connected with work

Working hours

To work shift-work (working nights one week,and days the next week)
To be on flexi-time(flexible working hours)
To work nine to five(regular day work-even if your hours are 8 to 6 for example)

Reasons for not working

To go/be on strike (industrial dispute)
To get the sack (thrown out of your job)
To get/be fired (More formal than get the sack; often used as 'You're fired!'
To be dismissed (More formal than get fired)
To be made redundant(thrown out,no longer needed)
To be laid off(More informal than redundant)
To give up work(to quit)
To be on/take maternity leave(to have a baby)
To be on/take sick leave(illness)
To take early retirement(retire at 55)
To be a workaholic (to love work too much)
To be promoted (get a higher position)
To apply for a job (fill in forms,etc)