Linkedin requests from former employers

  Hi John,
My feelings are that you never want to burn your bridges. Although you were laid off, you weren't fired. The company downsized, and I'm quite sure they would have wanted to keep you and others if you could. It doesn't hurt to expand your professional network. Those same people can be your references or possibly entry into a new job at a new firm if they so happen to work there. You don't have to be chummy with them, but having them in your network can be useful to you later in the future. With all that being said, if the relationship between you and them were nowhere close to good, then by all means deny. If you have time, I suggest you listen to the August 14th podcast on how to deal with LinkedIn requests. I'm curious as to what others think about this. 
Regards,
Joel

Well said Joel - Why close down possible options?  You never know where they may move to next, or what else may happen.
 
Chief Executive, Connect Support Services Ltd. - London based cloud & traditional IT services for SMEs
http://uk.linkedin.com/in/markodell100 - https://twitter.com/mark_odell

I would advise to accept requests from recruiters at your former employer for several reasons.
First, the power of networks is in the quantity of links. More links are better. OK, "better" links are better, too, of course, but quantity is very important.
Second, you might be of help to them, because you used to work for the company where now they are new employees.
Third, as others have pointed out, why burn bridges?
Finally, these persons who request a connection are not only employees of a former company where you don't want to go back (for now), but they are also professional individuals who might want to connect with you, irrespectively of the fact that you were a former employee.
So go ahead and connect!
Regards,
Andrea