Pepper -- Let me respond from a couple of different directions. I have been laid off in the past. I am only a couple years younger than you. I am writing this on a break from telling 1/3 of our workforce that today is their last day. Of course, with 1/3 less workforce my own job viability gets dimmer.

My profession is such that I deal with releases and departments of human rights all the time. (I wish I had chosen something else!) I am not a lawyer but if you would like some insights from my 20 years of dong this -- PM me.

Sara