We had drinks with the ex-Boss. He said his boss told him the same story that I had been told-- that his position had been up leveled. That he was no longer qualified for the job.

Even for him it happened quickly. He walked into his regular meeting with his boss. HR was there. They had the talk. He was told he could have the rest of the day off. No prior warning. No recourse.

One of my coworkers has been working the grapevine for reviews on the new boss. So far the gossip is good.