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Comment by simonebrunozzi | Hacker News Reader

I come from Europe, where "getting fired" seems to have a slightly different weight for people, and I really need to ask this. Please assume I'm a total ignorant in this regard, and explain this to me like you would to a young teen.

Why getting fired is seen as so bad?

What's the difference in your view (in terms of perception) between being fired and being laid off?

How can a company know that someone has been fired from the previous company?

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I think the way the terms are used is that laid off means the company no longer needs anyone in your position, while fired means they still need someone to do your job, but it's no longer you. The implications of this are clear, I think - if you're fired, it's your fault; if you're laid off, it's either the fault of your company (not enough money, perhaps) or of the market (robot does your job).

Also has implications for the social safety net in the US: if you resign or are fired, you can't collect unemployment checks; if you are laid off, you can. A lay-off also means the company can't immediately turn around and hire for that position because, supposedly, the position is not needed, or is needed but can't be funded (as you said). Companies can easily circumnavigate this by creating a new position with a slightly different title and slightly different responsibilities, then just hire for that.

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