Final answer:
Lauren, laid off due to her company automating its system, would be categorized as an involuntary retiree, a term sometimes used to describe those who are forced out of jobs due to external factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lauren was laid off because the phone company she worked for replaced human operators with an automated system. This scenario would classify her as an involuntary retiree. An involuntary retiree is someone who has to leave their job not because they wanted to retire, but because of external factors such as layoffs, business closures, or technological changes that made their position obsolete. Although Lauren's situation involves a layoff rather than retirement, the term involuntary retiree can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe someone forced out of a job. It's essential to differentiate this from a voluntary retiree, who decides to retire based on their personal choice, or a seasonal employee, who works only during certain seasons or periods of the year. Additionally, Lauren's case illustrates structural unemployment, which occurs when there's a mismatch between the skills workers possess and what the market demands, often due to technological advancements or changes in the economy.