[apocalyptic0n3]

It's at least somewhat typical in mass-layoff situations where the problem is business-related (i.e. not enough money or work) and not individual related (i.e. performance or personality). We had a round of layoffs at the Fortune 200 auto lab I was working at close to a decade ago and everyone that was laid off was offered contract agency placement (which guaranteed a job within, I believe, 1 month) and most were offered interviews at the Big 3 and a few smaller shops in the area. Most of the 30 or so that were laid off at our plant went maybe a week without work (which their severance more than covered).

I haven't seen it in the smaller companies I have worked for, but then again a 30 person layoff would be every single employee at those companies so they don't typically happen.