Depending on the company and country, they may or may not be able to do this. For example, I have been told (and IANAL) that in the U.S. if you ask to be laid

Depending on the company and country, they may or may not be able to do this. For example, I have been told (and IANAL) that in the U.S. if you ask to be laid off you don't get unemployment benefits. Just start looking. "My company is having layoffs, I wasn't in the first one but it seems like things are not stable" is a perfectly acceptable reason to give your prospective new employer for wanting to move on, and it's always easier to interview when you aren't unemployed yet (easier to feel relaxed).