If your old job laid you off, and you saw they were hiring again, would you feel awkward applying?

Are you sure they 'laid you off' as if laid off then an employer would call you as soon as they opened and required their staff back to work............... I would phone the employer and tell them you see they are employing new people and ask if you need to apply or will be just called to  start back with them

I guess I would. If they need workers and they have not contacted you to see if you wanted to retain your previous job then there must be a reason. Either they feel they can get someone at a lower pay or they are looking for someone they think will be a better fit. I guess it would depend on how long I was with them and how long I have been away. What is your relationship with them? I guess I would just call HR and ask if they would consider you if you reapplied. Good luck!!

If you was LAID OFF - that means you should be CALLED BACK.

If the company is actually hiring without first calling back all laid off employees, then that is an issue to take up with a lawyer.  When you are LAID OFF - you are NOT FIRED which means you still have your job with that company and you are waiting for them to need you again.

If I was actually FIRED from a company - I would not reapply because there would be no point in going back to a job that didn't want me.

If I was LET GO due to DOWNSIZING and then discovered that the company was hiring again, I might consider trying to apply again if I had liked the company.

It could be awkward, because they would usually call someone back instead of spending the time and money to train someone new.