A lockout is a work stoppage or slowdown conducted by employees, in which they refuse to work until certain demands are met. This can include anything from wages and benefits to working conditions and job security. During a lockout, workers remain off the job while their employer remains closed. The term "lockout" is often used interchangeably with "strike," but there are some key differences between the two: in a strike, employees refuse to work until certain demands are met; whereas, in a lockout, it's the employer who refuses to allow workers to continue working.