Editorial Standards

Our commitment to accuracy and trust

At LaidOffLaunch, we understand that people navigating job loss need accurate, reliable information. We take this responsibility seriously. This page explains our editorial standards and how we ensure content quality.

Our Editorial Principles

Accuracy First

Every claim we make should be verifiable. We cite official government sources, reputable organizations, and established research whenever possible. When we share opinions or general guidance, we clearly distinguish it from factual information.

Timeliness

Employment laws, unemployment benefits, and regulations change frequently. We review and update our content regularly to ensure it reflects current information. All articles display their publication date and last update date.

Transparency

We disclose our funding sources, affiliate relationships, and any potential conflicts of interest. We clearly label sponsored content and distinguish it from editorial content.

User-Centered

Our content exists to help people navigate difficult career transitions. We prioritize clarity, actionability, and practical value over search engine optimization or engagement metrics.

Content Creation Process

Research

Before writing any article, we:

  • Review official government sources (Department of Labor, state unemployment offices, EEOC, IRS)
  • Consult established legal and HR resources
  • Review current news and recent policy changes
  • Consider real user questions and concerns

Writing

Our content is written by people with relevant professional experience in HR, career coaching, and employment matters. We aim for:

  • Clear, accessible language (avoiding unnecessary jargon)
  • Actionable guidance with specific steps
  • Balanced coverage of options and trade-offs
  • Appropriate caveats and disclaimers for complex topics

Review

Before publication, content undergoes review for:

  • Factual accuracy — Are claims correct and properly sourced?
  • Completeness — Does the article address key aspects of the topic?
  • Clarity — Is the content easy to understand?
  • Appropriateness — Are proper disclaimers included for legal, financial, or medical topics?

Fact-Checking Standards

Primary Sources

We prioritize official government sources for factual claims:

  • Unemployment benefits: State department of labor websites
  • Employment law: U.S. Department of Labor, EEOC
  • Tax information: IRS.gov
  • Health insurance: Healthcare.gov, CMS
  • Mental health: SAMHSA, NIH, established medical sources

Verification Process

For critical factual claims, we:

  • Verify information against multiple authoritative sources
  • Link to primary sources when possible
  • Note when information may vary by state or situation
  • Update content when laws or regulations change

What We Don't Do

We avoid:

  • Making up statistics or citing unverifiable sources
  • Presenting opinions as facts
  • Providing specific legal, financial, tax, or medical advice
  • Guaranteeing outcomes

Content Categories and Disclaimers

Legal Content

Articles about employment law, WARN Act, discrimination, severance agreements, and related topics include legal disclaimers. We provide general information, not legal advice. We recommend consulting an employment attorney for specific situations.

Financial Content

Articles about unemployment benefits, 401(k) decisions, budgeting, and taxes include financial disclaimers. We provide educational information, not personalized financial advice. We recommend consulting qualified financial professionals for individual decisions.

Mental Health Content

Articles about coping with job loss, stress management, and emotional well-being include mental health disclaimers and crisis resources. We provide general wellness information, not therapy or treatment. We recommend consulting licensed mental health professionals for clinical concerns.

Update and Review Schedule

Regular Updates

  • State unemployment guides: Reviewed quarterly and when benefit amounts change
  • Legal guides: Reviewed when relevant laws or regulations change
  • General guides: Reviewed at least annually
  • Tools and calculators: Reviewed quarterly for accuracy

Triggered Updates

We update content immediately when:

  • Laws or regulations change
  • We receive credible reports of errors
  • Benefit amounts or deadlines change
  • Government websites or resources move

Corrections Policy

Reporting Errors

If you find an error in our content, please contact us. We take all reports seriously and will:

  • Acknowledge your report
  • Investigate the claim
  • Make corrections promptly if warranted
  • Update the article's "Last Updated" date

Correction Transparency

For significant corrections, we note what was changed and when. Minor corrections (typos, broken links, clarifications) are made without notation.

Independence and Conflicts of Interest

Editorial Independence

Our editorial content is independent from our business operations. Advertising, affiliate relationships, and sponsorships do not influence our recommendations or content coverage.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on our site are affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. This never affects the price you pay. We only recommend products and services we believe genuinely help our readers.

Any sponsored content is clearly labeled as such. Sponsors do not have editorial control over sponsored content, and all sponsored articles meet our editorial standards.

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about our editorial standards or want to report an issue, please contact us. We welcome feedback and are committed to continuous improvement.