A SENIOR business leader is to see for himself an controversial play which exposes the brutal reality behind workplace language

York Theatre Royal extended the invitation to Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Chamber of Commerce, to Top Dogs, which opens at The Studio on Tuesday for a five-night run.

The play, which has been a hit in 22 countries, exposes the brutality of business jargon - with its use of euphemisms like "downsizing" and "lean management".

Duncan Clarke, the theatre's public relations officer, said: "This is a play that all top business people in the region should see, and that's why I am targeting Len Cruddas, the chief executive of the regional chamber, which has about 800 members.

"I recognise that he and many of his members bring real ethics and human understanding to business, but this play is a great reminder of the constant need to uphold standards.

"In fact, anyone who runs a company or who works in a human resources department should see this."

The play is set in an exclusive outplacement agency. It follows the fortune of six ex-executives who have fallen from corporate grace and now need to be re-equipped for a new career.

Through surreal and darkly comic versions of group therapy, role play and other exercises, the play takes the audience through their emotional journey to personal and professional recovery.

On the way, Top Dogs reveals the gritty reality behind our jargon obsessed working culture, exposing the real impact of "company culture" or "efficiency incentive" on people's lives.

The cast includes Stuart McGugan (Gunner "Mackintosh" Atlas in the classic television comedy series, It Ain't Half Hot Mum); Michael Sheldon who appeared in Othello at the York Theatre Royal; Mary Keegan who appeared in Live Like Pigs at London's Royal Court; and Julia Marsen, who was in Romeo And Juliet at the Globe Theatre.

Mr Cruddas said: "Of course I accepted the invitation. Close to my heart is the concept of life-long learning - the fact that we no longer have jobs for life but we can replace that with employability for life. Learning means that even though you may go through the terrible shock of losing your job, life does go on."

Termination guidelines for a "sacker" on how to treat "sackees" compiled from various internal memos of companies that are "downsizing":

1. The termination meeting should last no more than five to ten minutes.

2. The termination meeting should be held in a neutral location, with easy access for security.

3. Avoid any small talk. Get to the point. Don't debate. Don't discuss any issues of "fairness".

4. The downsized employee should clearly understand that he/she is being fired and this will be his/her last day of work.

5. Have tissues available.

6. Be supportive and empathetic, but not compromising. Use silence to give the employee an opportunity to react to the news.

7. Don't be defensive or argumentative. Don't be apologetic.

8. Don't provide extensive justification for the downsizing decision.

9. Do not try to make light of the situation.

10. Remain calm and try not to display any emotion.

11. You may need to restate the message that the employee has been fired to ensure that he/she knows that the decision is final and has been made at the highest level for the good of the company.

12. Request that the employee hand in his/her keys and other property of the company. Secure access to the computers.

13. Contact security immediately if any assistance is required to escort the terminated employee from the premises.

Updated: 10:28 Thursday, October 20, 2005