The person lowest on the hierarchy of your workplace, who is most likely the first one dismissed during a layoff. Other workers will use the workplace canary as a sign of an impending layoff.
John:Hey Jeff did you hear they laid off Mike today?
Jeff:Well that figures he was the workplace canary.
John: Damn, I guess we need to get our resumes updated.
Jeff:Well that figures he was the workplace canary.
John: Damn, I guess we need to get our resumes updated.
by Adam Flores Jr. February 25, 2008