[denotes]

Note that these are layoffs not firings. The fault is with the employer, not the employee, and exit packages generally reflect this.

[SkyPuncher]

It largely doesn’t matter to most people. It’s a gap.

When an employer has a choice, they almost always take the gapless candidate.

[scblock]

A semantic difference only. They were "made redundant", "let go", "laid off", "fired", "terminated", and any other set of convenient choices.

[dgfitz]

The first 3 give severance, the last two do not.

There is an enormous difference.

[AceyMan]

Not so. Being included in a RIF (reduction in force) is legally different than getting fired. Ask anyone who knows anything about corporate HR.

[xnx]

I'm not finding any legal difference in the US. What difference do you know of?

[dgfitz]

If you're fired with cause, no severance, else, severance. It is quite common knowledge.

[xnx]

This may be convention, but it is not law. No federal or state law requires severance pay in the US.

[dgfitz]

I didn't say it was law.

[datavirtue]

Unemployment insurance.