[BinaryIdiot]

> There is a big delta between being fired and being downsized

I think you originally meant to say "laid off" versus "downsized" as downsized isn't related to the individual employee but to the company has a whole. Still though except for some background check by a government job or unemployment benefits I see little difference between being fired and laid off. Sure there are some differences but I wouldn't call it a big delta at all.

[was_boring]

Furthermore, you can be fired and still collect unemployment. For an individual employee, there is little difference in actual outcome between the two.

[davidiach]

It also can be easier to find a new job if you're not looking for one at the same time as 14k other people as you.