(Image Source: Chicago Tribune)

BY JULIA CORDEROY

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

You're watching multisource business news analysis from Newsy.

“Don’t think of it as losing your job... Think of it as a time-out between stupid bosses.” That’s the message on one of Hallmark’s new line of greeting cards.

WTHR has the details...

“Hallmark recently rolled out a new line of layoff greeting cards. Stores have a specific section for job loss and recession humor, offering words of support and encouragement. With the unemployment rate at nine percent, the company says customers called-in the need.”

That may be, but some card buyers don’t think it’s such a good idea. A writer for Jezebel says...

“Next time a friend loses her job, you can show her you care (and are still employed yourself) by sending her an $8 musical card featuring Chumbawamba.”

You know... “I get knocked down....” Anyway... Some cards are meant to be funny. Some cheezy. Some sensitive and serious.

Here’s what the creative director of Hallmark tells NPR.

Melissa Block (NPR): “What is the idea behind the cards? What is the message that you think you’re trying to send?”

Derek McCracken (Hallmark): “A job loss is temporary and that it doesn't define the person.”

Hallmark isn’t the only one in favor of the concept. CBS spoke to a psychologist who is all for the layoff line.

“I think verbal would be good, but supplementing with a card isn’t bad. I think this is indicative with the fact there are so many people who have been laid off across the country and I think by bringing it out in the open and discussing it there’s less shame attached to it and the more shame that is attached to being laid off, the less likely you are to go out there and actually find a new job quickly. So it’s not a bad thing.”

But a writer for Gothamist counters-- the idea that “the more you talk about something, the better off you’ll be ” doesn’t apply here.

“Closely behind ‘talking’ on the list of effective therapeutic actions is ‘punching.’ Specifically, punching anyone who hands you a card trivializing the loss of your job.”

Online companies Zazzle and Greeting Card Universe are selling similar layoff cards. But the second largest greeting card company, American Greetings, hasn’t jumped on board the job-loss card campaign just yet.

Transcript by Newsy