I remember in the "old days" when a manager would call you human2human and advise you that you were being laid off. I felt like less of a betrayal, to tell you in such a way that maintained your dignity. Dell could still do that, and have the manager inform you to expect a follow up meeting with HR. People should be close enough to their managers to get that call. Why they continue this charade of sending the mysterious calendar invitation to "review business" is beyond me. Reading a script is even worse. Layoffs are unavoidable at certain times. Just find a way to do it, that makes people feel like they ever mattered, and were appreciated regardless.
More people should read this. @shr+1l33bQQy said it well.