Agree with all the points, but I just wanted to comment on the fact that I miss the days when “to fire” and “to lay off” had different shades of meaning. To be fired used to mean being terminated “with cause”, like you did something bad or didn’t do something you were supposed to do. Being laid off just means you ended up being on the list considered non-essential for company budgetary reasons. You’re still unemployed either way, but with one you might get severance pay, and it makes a difference when you apply for another job. or if you show up at the unemployment office.