I read a novel article about KPMG avoiding making large redundancies and involving their staff. They were offering a scheme where staff can sign upto giving staff 2 options. Staff can opt for either or both. Two thirds of the staff signed up to the scheme.
Options were for a 4 day week (1 day unpaid) or/and the option of a sabbatical.
Instead of people being put under great stress waiting to be called in to be made redundant (which is a cost to the Council), this method if it can be done by Councils, would involve people, increase motivation and lift the mood to ride the current downturn.