Call it what you like....

No matter what ridiculous euphemism is used, we all know it's the same thing as being fired....except perhaps that there's a severance package.
I never know what to say. I offer my sympathies and anything else I can do such as recommendations or references which seem meager and inadequate to loyal colleagues who have been with me in the trenches for years. In some cases there is genuine shock, but after so many of these damn ' staff reductions', it's hard to be shocked. The most shocked I've been is when my name isn't on the "list".
I hear the gossip of who got cut. Occassionally, someone will contact me directly to say "hey, I'm on the list." Usually, the news sort of blunders about for a few days. We all live in a fog pretending to do our jobs when all we want to know is "Who's left standing?" and "Of those standing, who will now be responsible for this, that, and the other?"
That is the sort of crux of things. People get cut. The work, does not. The work remains behind being shepherded by the remaining souls who try to soldier on without complaint. But nobody feels good about it, and there's plenty of grumbling when nobody's looking.
We know that some of those cut were excellent at their jobs. Smart, efficient, innovative. It makes you wonder why it wasn't enough. But, it only makes you wonder a minute. In some cases, we know the work will be sent to 'low cost' countries. We have to pretend like we agree that it's a good smart business decision, while at the same time trying to make things work with new people who have nowhere near the knowledge of the people they replace.
It's extremely difficult. It doesn't build confidence or rapport or teamwork. We have to try to rise above it all and put the work first. But, I'm a person first....a human being who recognizes talent and dedication....a person that can see beyond dollar signs. I get that sometimes tough business choices have to be made. But don't expect me to pretend like it's okay. It's not.