wrote:

Aparently a senior manager (executive level) told them
in a meeting earlier in the month that there would be no
layoffs, nobody would be losing their job. He then was
the one to notify at least some of them of their 'voluntary'
resignation.

Well, that sucks, but it's part of life. If you know about lay-offs
ahead of the date and you're asked about them, you cannot but lie and
say they won't be happening. Not nice. But it's part of a senior
manager's job.