Melissa August, Harriet Barovick, Daren Fonda, Unmesh Kher, Ellin Martens and Sora Song
The U.S. unemployment rate has jumped to 4.9%. Also on the rise are the euphemisms being used by companies to describe layoffs:
TELEGLOBE “Today announced plans to revector portions of its business.” Translation: 450 jobs lost
CISCO “The reduction in workforce will include…involuntary attrition and the consolidation of some positions.” Translation: 3,000 to 5,000 jobs lost
SCHWAB “Announced today that…it plans to implement further restructuring to reduce operating expenses.” Translation: 2,000 to 2,400 jobs lost
LUCENT “Expects to reduce its net headcount…through a combination of force management actions and attrition.” Translation: 10,000 jobs lost
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