> a more balanced version: <bunch of weedy ACLs, judgement calls, liability/>

Too complicated and subjective, stinks of more risk.

Also, I don't think it's dehumanizing it all (having been on the receiving end of it way back when during a layoff, and involved in the process more times than I care to count). It's standard practice for involuntary terms at all companies we work with, whether employee is IT or not. If a company is not doing this already, I'd encourage them to.