It does suck as a policy, but this has been going on for a long time regardless of how good or bad the economy is. This is also why I am _always_ in a job sear

It does suck as a policy, but this has been going on for a long time regardless of how good or bad the economy is. This is also why I am _always_ in a job search (even though I've never been laid off). There is definitely a career "cost" that comes from the stigma of a lay-off. And it absolutely is the case that being unemployed is a strike against you in an employer's eyes even if they don't go as far as excluding you from consideration. I wish employers would take a more intelligent approach to hiring. Until they do, good employees will jump ship at the first sign of trouble to avoid the risk of a lay-off.