When the economy slides into a recession, layoffs are inevitable. Whether it's three or four people laid off, a massive downsizing or a company that has been forced to shut its doors, the layoff experience is nothing short of a nightmare for most workers.

Years and even decades of valued work, input and influence on a company comes to a screeching halt in a surprisingly formal and succinct process. Rarely are the pink-slipped given time to download personal documents from their computers or say goodbye to peers. If severance is involved, there will be papers to sign. HR might want an exit interview. And that's all there is. The process happens so quickly, <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Careers/10-Things-to-Know-If-Youve-Been-PinkSlipped/?kc=EWKNLEND032108FEA1">most are too stunned and shaken</A> to consider what rights or entitlements they do or do not have.