1. Some companies are forced to .......... employees in order to avoid economic failure and future bankruptcies.

2. Some companies downsize due to technological advancements. Certain positions are completely .......... because machines can now do many of the jobs that humans did in the past.

3. The causes of downsizing can range from poor .......... styles to variable economic markets.

4. When a person says that he/she received a .......... slip, it means that he/she has been fired or laid-off.

5. The recent .......... caused a lot of company lay-offs.

6. Some employees constantly feel that their jobs are at .......... because financial stability has not yet been completely restored at many firms.

7. In an effort to save jobs, many firms are trying to cut .........., such as added improvements and equipment, before they reduce the number of employees they have.

8. In order to save money, some companies have slashed .......... by decreasing employees' salaries.

9. Recently, some companies in the US are taking part in .......... programs; whereby, the companies help their employees, who will be laid-off, find other employment before downsizing takes place.

10. Companies that refuse to downsize are forced to .......... on new projects in order to make money during and after a financial crisis.