Layoff & Job Exit | OverWorkDrawn

Save the documents first

Keep copies of termination or layoff notices, severance documents, final-pay information, benefits notices, recent pay statements, PTO balances, commission or bonus information, and anything describing what happens after employment ends.

Check money that may still be outstanding

Review final wages, earned commissions, bonuses, expense reimbursements, unused PTO, and severance separately. The rules can differ depending on the type of payment, employer policy, contract, and state law.

Put benefits on their own timeline

Health coverage, retirement accounts, flexible spending accounts, stock or equity awards, life insurance, and other benefits may each have different deadlines. Do not treat them as one decision.

Know that notice rules are not universal

Federal WARN rules can require advance notice for certain covered plant closings and mass layoffs, but they do not apply to every layoff. State laws may also have separate requirements.

Preserve useful career records

Before access disappears, keep personal copies of information you are permitted to retain, such as performance records, dates, role descriptions, accomplishments, and contact information for potential references. Do not take confidential or proprietary company material.

Then start the next move

Once the immediate deadlines are organized, update your résumé, identify references, create an application tracker, and decide what kind of role you actually want next.