Which group is responsible for laying off employees?

The group responsible for laying off employees typically includes managerial employees. These individuals are usually in positions that grant them authority over personnel decisions within their respective departments or functions. Managers are tasked with assessing workforce needs, evaluating performance, and determining the necessity of layoffs in alignment with the organization's strategic objectives. They have the expertise to consider various factors such as departmental budgets, employee performance, and overall business needs when making decisions about reducing staff.

In contrast, the other groups mentioned are not typically empowered to make such significant employment decisions. While human resources plays a critical role in the layoff process by providing guidance on policies, assisting with communication, and ensuring compliance with legal regulations, they often implement the decisions made by managerial employees. Interns and contract workers do not generally have the authority or the scope of responsibility for employee layoffs as their roles are typically limited to assisting with specific tasks or projects rather than making significant personnel decisions.