Walk the line with them and look for a new job ASAP. The company is probably hurting, they don't want to do a layoff and scare people so they are systematically picking them off to save face with the company as a whole. Im sorry about your friend, I hope he can find something new quickly and better! Tell him not to use them as a reference.
__________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz |