11.   A recent American Management Association survey of corporations showed that many companies were laying off employees and hiring at the same time, he said.

12.   Additionally, some mutual fund companies are laying low.

13.   But as Internet companies lay off workers or close their doors altogether, Microsoft has gone on a hiring and acquisition binge recently.

14.   Companies laid off people, leaving more work and more stress for those who remained.

15.   Companies are also laying off workers in the face of a slowing U.S. economy.

16.   Companies have been laying off employees and families have been tightening their belts for three months in anticipation of the austerity package announced last week.

17.   Companies have laid off workers and dramatically scaled back operations.

18.   Companies lay off workers, close plants and shut franchises.

19.   Concessions companies laid off hundreds of workers.

20.   Despite a booming economy, some companies are laying off workers.