[gyardley]

Just speculating -- but perhaps Blizzard prefers to get rid of their lower performers all at once in a 'layoff' instead of sacking them one-by-one.

Many larger companies do this; I suspect it minimizes dismissal-related lawsuits.

[marshray]

Probably depends on the state, but wouldn't a 'layoff' mean the company would pay higher unemployment compensation premiums?

[itsameta4]

...which is still probably cheaper than a single wrongful termination suit. Calling it a layoff prevents that.

[marshray]

Former employees can still sue over the way the layoffs were conducted.