Well, the dust has settled, the party's over, and those affected are starting to think about how to get on with their lives. I hope they'll find better jobs. The company I work for is known for having periodic layoffs and "reorganizations" - they're always hiring as well as firing so some people may be able to apply for a different position and keep their seniority if they are lucky - of course those people have probably worked themselves up to a good salary and that may make it difficult if they think they can get somebody off the street more cheaply.   They basically eliminated two departments, so there wasn't any kind of age discrimination involved. I know this happens all over and not just in the company I work for and not just in the US. I can't help but think though, that if I lived in a country where health care wasn't so tied to one's job, I'd have more choices about where to work.