I agree that &quot;chance to pursue other opportunities&quot; is bullshit.  But there&#x27;s a real difference between &quot;fired&quot; and &quot;laid off&quot;.  <i>Being fired and being laid off are two distinct ways of leaving a position. Being fired vs. laid off can impact your eligibility for unemployment as well as your hiring prospects for the future.</i> [0]  If the distinction is relevant to the unemployment compensation system, I don&#x27;t think you can wave it away as a euphemism.<p>[0] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;jobsearch.about.com&#x2F;od&#x2F;firedtermination&#x2F;qt&#x2F;fired-laid-off.htm" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;jobsearch.about.com&#x2F;od&#x2F;firedtermination&#x2F;qt&#x2F;fired-laid...</a>