The Upside of Layoffs: They Can Lead to New Business Creation

Layoffs are never a good thing, but they do have one positive aspect: They can lead to creation of new businesses -- and new jobs.

New research shows that 15 percent of small businesses were established following a layoff. That's not a huge number, but at least it provides a little hope.

And it's not as if you have to come up with a brilliant and creative new idea to start a successful new business after you've been laid off. The survey conducted by business insurance company Hiscox found that the majority of start-ups are not original ideas, but are based on new approaches to existing businesses.