They 100% think of it as a lever that makes expenses disappear. They're often just a little bit surprised when it results in labour disappearing along side the expenses, though.
Importantly, though, this kind of dehumanizing language is purposeful, and it's extremely harmful. It makes it easier for management to treat people's livelihoods and lives as disposable.
Keep in mind that "human resources" (sometimes called "human capital" at some especially icky places) is also one of these dehumanizing terms. Treating people as resources that are available to use or process is really gross, and that's literally the name of the department.