9 would be far too high IMHO.

If you’re laying people off, say it straight and with a backbone. The language is passive, weak and makes it sound like a mere consequence of a slight breeze upon a dainty leaf causing it to gently fall from a tree.

17 people lost their jobs. Likely many of those have families to feed, houses to uphold and bills to pay. In this economy, the same will likely happen to many of us and a statement like the above would feel like a punch to the gut.

The uppercut that follows is:

> we want to acknowledge and express our appreciation for their substantial contributions.

Saying you want to acknowledge and express something is not the same thing as acknowledging and expressing something. A statement would struggle to get more generic than this.

nah. im not a retarded pussy, so I don't have a problem with tone. I've never dyed my hair purple (im pretty sure that shit seeps into the brain).