Imagine the scenario. You lay off a member of staff because you need to downsize. People then ask about said member of staff and you tell them "oh they found a new job and left". Why would you say that when it is completely untrue. Why?

Saving face I suspect. That sounds nicer than "We had to let her go due to downsizing"... that probably also sets off alarm bells with clients... "Oh, downsizing? That must mean you aren't doing very well..."

People be stupid.

This people be really annoyed as it is not the truth. Grr

Perhaps said person is an idiot ( I would have used less family friendly wording but felt better not to )

No perhaps about it ! Definitely a complete mammary gland !

OP, put yourself in the position of the person that let you go who is confronted by other staff as to why you're gone ... what would you say?

Post 2, is likely the right one - 'it was to save face'

Where a person did not resign (an option I offered to many) I have used from & everything in between ...'we let the person go because of reorganization or restructuring' to 'They just did not fit the company culture'

The mere mentioning of downsizing in a small to medium operation is a no-no in my books, it sends the message the company is about to go under

I get that. But put yourself in the ex employees shoes. It looks like they are not being truthful about the reasons behind the fact they are not working there anymore.

Putting on an HR hat, 'we let you go for the reason we stated, paid you off, told you why we did it, gave you an ROE - you are no longer an employee. If you start any issues after your termination our lawyers will be involved ... goodbye!

Now back to being human ... if anyone asks you, I suggest that you just say 'whatever the person told you the reason I am no longer with the company - its not true' & you can go back too them & tell them that I told you so!

Make sure that your ROE had box A ticked on it, which gets you EI without question

I think the preferred term these days is "rightsizing."

Maybe, if they're not that truthful, you were really fired for being rubbish at your job rather than downsizing. Seems like they maybe trying spare everyones feelings.

Hey, you might be right.

You Know the truth, karma will come

did you exert that physical energy you were going to do last week, or get 'blathered' - or both?

Good luck with moving forward - it'll all work out for the best

I did indeed clean the house - not that you would know it now!