Skip, I agree with you that the practice of laying off personnel right before Christmas is a heartless practice and quite common. It is only excusable under the most dire circumstances.

For a minority of those layed off it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Those are the people who are talented and motivated. They will probably improve their lots. The ones who will probably suffer the most are the ones who are plodders, but who have a good work ethic. They are accustomed, no matter how difficult, to providing for themselves and their families. The emotional pain they will experience is excruciating. But they will rise above their circumstances.

In the third category are those who, whether talented or not, didn't care about that job, or any job. They will probably collect unemployment to the max, never making any sincere effort to find gainful employment. But somehow they will manage to come up with money to smoke their dope.