Here is an anecdotal observation from my point of view. Take it for what it's worth. It does not surprise me that HR/Management's reasoning for the mass layoff was that "your position was eliminated." For employees who have some longevity, the strategy for using this explanation was clear because this population group did NOT have a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) created. Secondarily, a PIP would allow you due process. Did any of that happen? I think not.
Next, there is an apparent lack of transparency in the rating system "managers " used to rate their employees. A company having so many "bad performers" who did not know they were not meeting expectations speaks volumes about the caliber of management. There also exists a second level of ratings for each employee where your manager rates your potential for future growth. In either case, such plans call for developing talent, but many managers lack the skills or aptitude for growing talent. Moreover, a manager's key responsibility is communicating performance expectations. This is why pre-established one-on-one meetings are expected. The goal of the meeting is to keep employees on track. I take from your comments that many of you never had one, or the manager never shared how you were performing. I would even say many of you were told you are doing a "great job." Isn't it ironic you were expected to know you were not meeting expectations?
After reading your comments, I realized many of you were blindsided by this final action just before the holidays and near the end of the fourth quarter. Let's be honest here. The "real" reason was budgetary. Your performance was never in question. Management repeatedly has shown poor fiscal responsibility concerning their budgets and overspends year after year. Ironically, those "high-performing" managers with "superior skills" did not exit the company.
Happy Holidays to those managers; your gift is to look yourself in the mirror every day in the coming year, knowing you let your people down. You wear the badge of shame for all to see.