Cruise lines and cruise-oriented travel companies are also jumping on board with pink-slip reassurance plans.

MSN: Pink-slip travel

But not everyone is sharing in the stability with pockets of pink-slip pain despite the overall good news.

FORBES: America's Pink Slip Capitals

But faced with the resultant soul-searching, some recent pink-slip recipients are refusing to be casualties of the latest recession.

CNN: How to become a risk taking boss

Workers fearing a possible pink-slip have boosted productivity and have allowed businesses to take on more business with less people.

FORBES: Discouraged Workers And The Illusion Of The V-Shaped Jobs Recovery

He said that "a couple of times" he has worried about being given a pink slip - in other words, worried about being sacked.

BBC: Mitt Romney: Is the gaffe really a gaffe?

With a shrinking defense budget and a still uncertain economy, returning civilian-soldiers may find a pink slip waiting for them because of current downsizing and corporate cost-saving initiatives.

FORBES: Can You Believe This Is Legal? Military Guard and Reserve Employees Can Be Laid Off During Deployments

Then came the first quarter of 2008, the market turbulence that washed out Bear Stearns--and a pink slip.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Then the dot-com bust hit, leaving Kurth with a pink slip and no idea what to do next.

CNN: Try out 'dream job' before you jump

His answer to middle-class families who feel like they're standing on a trap door, just one pink slip or one medical diagnosis or one missed mortgage payment away from falling through and losing everything?

CNN: Clinton's November 19, 2007, speech on economic challenges