[credit_guy]

> awkward 1:1

It does not have to be awkward. The manager can show sympathy, and offer support as much as they can. The person who is being laid off may try to hit the job market right away, and the manager can offer guidance (what the employee should brush up on), references, could try to introduce them to acquaintances. Many times some lucky people manage to move internally, and the manager's support is invaluable in such cases.

And by the way, the manager can also say something like this: "tomorrow I may lose my job too, so I might need your reference, if you think I deserve it". And they should be truthful about it, because, honestly, nobody is immune from layoffs (if you think you are, then it means you are severely underpaid, so try to rectify that).