Yes, algorithm method used by Intel is brutal and unfair. At least Intel offered generous severance though comparing to that of 1 month severance from IBM regardless of number of years of service.
http://www.businessinsider.com/ibm-layoffs-1-month-severance-2016-3
It's at-will employment. Why should anyone pay you anything when firing you?
With 18 years of service, a month of sabbatical payout, 6 weeks pay, and Cobra + $9k cash, I am expecting to receive about 10 months pay. I don't know how I could have survived with a month of severance. It is already over a month and I have not received a single call for an interview.
We'll see what Intel offers next year, the following year, and all the way 'till '21. The layoffs are not over with at the sinking ship known as "Intel".