Voluntary redundancy does not mean that anyone can choose to be laid off, but rather that anyone can apply. The company could reject applications from critical

Voluntary redundancy does not mean that anyone can choose to be laid off, but rather that anyone can apply. The company could reject applications from critical people. Sabbaticals tend to increase retention, as those with long tenure can take a break without quitting. And anyway, the company doesn't necessarily only want to cut the "bottom talent", they may want to cut expensive talent.