This is not universally true in the UK. My employer laid off about 10% during the current downturn, and those impacted found out quietly, while everybody else was left to wonder why people were suddenly no longer in the employee directory.
There is a requirement to have a "group consultation" in the UK if 20 or more people are being made redundant which often means the process is relatively well telegraphed. But the "group" which must be consulted with is only people who are at risk so it can still happen relatively quietly if redundancies are limited to a certain team/etc.
In addition, there's no requirement for you to assign them work or require them to be in the office in this period. You can send someone on garden leave while working through the process, you just still have to pay them.
> If there are 20 or more employees affected by redundancies, your employer must hold collective consultation.
Of course, it relies on affect people knowing their rights and being willing to stand up for them, which isn't always easy, especially if you're not being let go.
