Within the HR profession, there's a discipline about performing layoffs that minimize litigation risk, unemployment insurance costs, reputation risk, etc. Firms like Lee Hecht Harrison walk employers through a complete menu of services that prep the layoff meeting, instructions for HR, IT, and security, and services for your layed-off people that get them into job search quickly. LHH claims, for example, that their service "gets employees back to work 50% faster". You'll trade off the benefits of a graceful exit vs. the cash you need to keep.

- http://www.lhh.com/career-transition/career-transition.aspx - http://www.risesmart.com/outplacement