A practical checklist for the first week after a layoff

First day: collect the facts

Ask for the separation details in writing. Confirm the end date, final pay date, severance amount and conditions, unused leave, benefit end dates, equity, and how to return company property.

You do not have to sign an agreement in the meeting. Ask how long you have to review it. Get professional advice if it affects your rights, benefits, taxes, equity, or immigration status.

First three days: protect the basics

• Check the income support process where you live and note any deadlines.
• Confirm when health and other important cover ends.
• Get qualified immigration advice quickly if your work visa depends on the job.
• List available savings, essential monthly costs, and income that will continue.
• Tell one trusted person what happened so you do not carry every task alone.

By the end of the week: find your runway

Calculate one result without severance and another with any dependable severance. Pause costs that are not essential, but avoid rushed moves that create fees or remove important protection.

If your runway is short, focus on benefits, temporary income, conversations with creditors, and a broad job search. If it is longer, choose a pace that protects your options and your health.

Start a steady job search

Update your resume and professional profile. Contact a few people who know your work. Set a weekly rhythm for applications and follow ups.

A repeatable block of time is more useful than one exhausting day. Keep your explanation factual and focused on the future. A layoff is an employment event, not a verdict on your ability.

Get local help when needed

Benefits and employment rules differ by country and sometimes by region. Use the labour, social security, tax, health, and immigration authorities for the place where you work and live. FakePip offers general planning information, not personal legal, tax, or immigration advice.