Learn the seven steps to take immediately after a layoff, from protecting your records and reviewing severance to managing your money and benefits. 

If you've just been laid off, start by getting your separation details in writing, protecting the personal employment records you're authorized to keep, and identifying any urgent deadlines. Then review your severance paperwork, confirm your final pay and benefits, investigate unemployment, and make a plan for your job search.

Your first 48 hours are about protecting what you have, understanding your options, and avoiding decisions made under pressure. You don't need to solve your entire job search immediately.

Getting laid off can leave you facing several decisions at once. Your company access may already be gone, paperwork may require your attention, and you need to understand what happens to your income and benefits.

Your First 48-Hour Layoff Checklist

Use this checklist to identify your immediate priorities. Some tasks can be completed right away; others may take longer, depending on your employer and circumstances.

☐ Get your layoff details in writing

☐ Protect your authorized personal employment records

☐ Review your severance agreement before signing

☐ Find out exactly what money you're owed

☐ Confirm when your health insurance and benefits end

☐ Investigate unemployment benefits

☐ Create your first-week job-search plan

1. Get Your Layoff Details in Writing

A layoff meeting can move quickly, and you may not remember everything you're told. Before leaving the meeting, or as soon as possible afterward, ask for written confirmation of the essential details.

Confirm your official separation date, final pay arrangements, any severance offer, unused vacation or PTO, benefits information, and instructions for returning company property.

Find out how to contact HR after your company email and internal systems become unavailable. If your access has already ended, ask HR to send the information to your personal email or mailing address.

Keep the documents together and make a note of unanswered questions and upcoming deadlines.

2. Protect Your Personal Employment Records

Your employer may disable access to company email, internal systems and HR portals immediately after a layoff.

Identify the personal employment records you're authorized to keep, such as pay statements, tax forms, benefits documents and employment agreements. If you can no longer access them, request copies through HR.

Reconnect with managers and colleagues who know your work. LinkedIn can be useful for maintaining those professional relationships without relying on company systems. Use personal contact details that people have voluntarily shared with you.

Important: Do not download confidential company files, customer lists, proprietary documents or other information you're not authorized to take. A layoff doesn't change your obligations concerning company information.

If you're uncertain whether a document can be retained, ask your employer rather than assuming you have permission.

3. Review Your Severance Agreement Before Signing

If you're offered severance, don't sign simply because you want to put the layoff behind you.

Review the payment amount, payment schedule, acceptance deadline and any conditions attached to the offer. Pay attention to provisions concerning releases of claims, confidentiality and other restrictions.

Depending on your circumstances, legal requirements may provide specific review or revocation periods. Don't assume the same deadlines apply to every agreement.

If an important provision is unclear, consider obtaining advice from a qualified employment attorney before making your decision.

The immediate priority is to understand what you've been offered, what you're agreeing to and when you must respond.

4. Find Out Exactly What Money You're Owed

Your final paycheck may not be the only compensation connected to your employment.

Confirm what happens to earned commissions, bonuses, unused vacation or PTO, approved expense reimbursements and any severance offered. Ask when applicable payments are expected.

Then review your immediate financial position. Identify your available savings, essential monthly expenses, upcoming bills and expenses you may be able to reduce.

This gives you an initial estimate of your financial runway—the amount of time your available resources may cover your essential expenses.

You don't need to make every financial decision during the first 48 hours. You do need to understand what money is coming in, when to expect it and what obligations are approaching.

Related reading: How to Prepare Financially for a Possible Layoff.

5. Confirm When Your Health Insurance and Benefits End

Don't assume your health insurance ends on your last working day or automatically continues through the end of the month. Ask your employer for the actual termination date.

Review your medical, dental and vision coverage, along with any other benefits affected by your separation.

Investigate your available coverage options, which may include COBRA, a spouse's or partner's employer-sponsored plan, or an ACA Marketplace plan. Compare applicable costs, eligibility requirements and enrollment deadlines.

Also review any retirement, stock, flexible spending or other benefit arrangements you have through your employer.

Your immediate objective is to identify the deadlines and take the necessary steps to avoid an unintended coverage gap.

6. Investigate Unemployment Benefits

Find out how unemployment insurance works in your state and when you can apply.

Don't automatically assume that receiving severance makes you ineligible. States have different rules concerning severance, eligibility, application procedures and ongoing requirements.

Visit your state's official unemployment agency website to identify the documents you'll need and the appropriate filing process.

Apply promptly when eligible, and keep copies of relevant correspondence and application records.

7. Create Your First-Week Job-Search Plan

You don't need to submit dozens of applications on the day you're laid off. Once you've addressed your immediate paperwork, financial and benefits priorities, begin planning your next move.

Identify the positions you want to pursue. Review your resume, document accomplishments you can discuss with prospective employers and reconnect with people who know your work.

Look at current job postings to understand what employers are requesting and whether your resume reflects the experience and skills most relevant to those positions.

Establish a manageable schedule for the coming week that includes financial administration, networking, resume updates and targeted applications.

The objective is to make deliberate progress rather than applying indiscriminately under pressure.

Related reading: How Long Does It Take to Find a Job After a Layoff?

What Not to Do Immediately After a Layoff

The decisions you avoid can be as important as the actions you take. In particular:

• Don't sign an agreement you don't understand without reviewing its terms and deadlines.

• Don't take confidential company information or attempt to bypass disabled systems.

• Don't make major financial commitments before understanding your immediate financial position.

• Don't publish angry statements about your former employer that could complicate future professional relationships.

• Don't assume you must accept the first available job without considering your circumstances and the opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing I should do after being laid off?

Get the details of your separation in writing, including your termination date, final pay, severance information, benefits and important deadlines. Identify any authorized personal records you need to obtain before access ends.

Should I sign a severance agreement immediately?

Review the agreement carefully, confirm its deadline and understand its conditions. Consider qualified legal advice if you have questions about important provisions or rights you may be giving up.

What if my employer has already disabled my access?

Contact HR and request the personal employment records and separation documents you're entitled to receive. Use approved channels rather than attempting to regain access to restricted systems.

Can I apply for unemployment if I receive severance?

Possibly. Eligibility and the treatment of severance vary by state. Check with your state's official unemployment agency rather than assuming you qualify or are disqualified.

Should I start applying for jobs immediately?

You can begin exploring opportunities right away, but prioritize urgent paperwork, financial and benefits deadlines. Then develop a focused job-search plan.

What You Can Do Now

Before the end of your first day, identify any documents, personal records and contact information that may become difficult to obtain. Write down the questions you need HR to answer.

During the next 48 hours, review your paperwork, confirm your financial and benefits deadlines, investigate unemployment and outline your first week of job-search activity.

Not everything must be completed within two days. The purpose of this checklist is to help you identify what requires immediate attention and what can be handled next.

Final Thoughts

A layoff can make everything feel urgent, but not every decision needs to be made immediately.

Your first 48 hours are an opportunity to establish the facts, protect your authorized records, understand your compensation and benefits, and identify important deadlines. Once those priorities are under control, you can approach your job search with a clearer plan.

The goal is not fear. The goal is clarity.

Continue Reading

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Make your next career decision

Should You Take the First Job Offer After a Layoff?

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