[klardotsh]

Because layoffs are, rightfully, in the spotlight as distasteful, cruel, and usually not based in financial reality right now. They get severe negative press, because they're severe negative actions (while companies rake in record profits - I'm mostly not talking about little seed-A-B-round startups going under here). And so companies are trying to find creative ways to avoid that negative press, IMO.

[banish-m4]

Yep. It's a passive-aggressive way to blame the victim for not participating in gotcha capitalism.