In defense of managers/supervisors from a laid off person: if the supervisor has signed a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement), they cannot disclose information.
I'm sure everyone knows this, but when you have a good relationship with your boss, it feels personal when you find out after the fact your boss knew what was coming. The best way to cope is to compartmentalize - and understand it's business, not personal.
It’s called reading the tea leaves. Some can’t read. Some can.
I have signed plenty of those in my time and definitely not divulged anything covered in them. However, I have always tried to educate my reports to see what happens around the company and business in general and to urge them to stay marketable, because change will come. Fortunately I never had to give out bad news, but this was well before the current developments.
My manager told me that he was updating his resume and actively looking for work outside, recommended that I do the same. I got the hint.
No, it doesn't prevent them from giving little hints. Most are too afraid to do that though. All of the NDA's that I've signed here at Xrx spell out what you are supposed to not disclose, and I abide by that, but there are subtle hints that can be given when it's going to affect someone's job.
Your manager can't disclose info regard you being cut, but does the NDA restrict a manager from encouraging you to update your resume, or talk about other opportunities internally or outside the company?