I once had to bring the news that about half a team would lose their jobs. So, in Brazil we have what is called "aviso prévio"; by our rules, your employer must

I once had to bring the news that about half a team would lose their jobs. So, in Brazil we have what is called "aviso prévio"; by our rules, your employer must put you under "aviso prévio" (advance notice) for a time before deciding to fire you. Because of some bureaucracy, the whole team was under advance notice but now I just got the news of who was to be fired and I had to give the team such news. It was a very cohesive, young, talented team and everybody behaved like a family. Definitely not an easy task. I wanted to say: - I'm not guilty of this, I didn't chose who. - Half of the team will be fired. - It is all right if you want to point a finger. - They're doing a bad thing because they don't know how talented you are. Since I had to do it in a meeting which also included the bosses, this is how I said it: - I don't know the criteria used, but it is not my job to contest or specify it. Whoever did it, I'm sure had a though task doing so. - About 50% of the team was chosen to continue under "advance notice". - Last meeting, everybody got together to comment on the situation and I'm sure it will happen again because it is just unavoidable. - Talking for myself, independent of who was chosen, I can say that there is absolutely no doubt about your skills.