[fredestine]

it is very easy to fire in europe... and you have a trial period up to 6 month where you can fire your employe for any kind of reason. after that you can also fire easily your employee but youd need to give him a 3 month notice. but definitly economic downturn is a valid reason to fire someone.

so actually for markets like software with plenty of jobs and employment the trial/notice period of 3 months are playing against the workers by creating a complex market that is not fluid at all. it however protects better workers that are in less fortunate industries which is good.