People continue to say RTO is a way to get rid of people without having to pay severance.
Here is the reality: legally they are not required to giver severance during a layoff. They could just get rid of you and give you NOTHING. They could change their severance policy tomorrow and put in no severance as the only option. Or they could give it just for certain levels. Everything goes.
Companies give severance hoping to smooth things out with you so you dont go after them for laying you off.
Also remember that severance is taxed like a bonus and the govmt takes 40% off the top.