1.   Bigger Silicon Valley firms have also been firing workers.

2.   The Wagner Act prohibited employers from firing workers for joining a union.

3.   Also, outright layoffs are rare in Japan because of cultural resistance to firing workers.

4.   Although traditional-minded companies were not known for firing workers or cutting wages, that is beginning to change.

5.   Allied said it has cut costs at its spirits division by firing workers, reducing excess stock and reviewing its supply chain.

6.   Companies are getting battered in the press and by Presidential hopefuls for firing workers at the same time that corporate profits are rising.

7.   Developing attractive new products is a far better alternative than firing workers when it comes to growth, Gertz said.

8.   It would prohibit employers from issuing oral or written pay-confidentiality orders and from firing workers who discuss their pay.

9.   Italy has about the toughest restrictions in Europe on firing workers, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

10.   Last week the trade and industry minister, Francisco Dornelles, said the government might finance car purchases to keep Volkswagen from firing workers.