First 24 Hours After Layoff: Your Complete Checklist

You just got laid off. Your head is spinning, you're not sure what to do first, and everything feels urgent.

Take a breath. This checklist will walk you through exactly what to do in the first 24 hours. Print it out, bookmark it, whatever works for you.

Before You Leave (If You Haven't Already)

If you're still at work or on the call where you were told, here's what to do:

✅ Stay Calm and Professional

• Take a breath
• Don't say anything you'll regret
• This isn't the time to argue or vent

✅ Ask Key Questions

Get answers to these before you leave:

1. "What is my official last day of employment?"
2. "When will I receive my final paycheck?"
3. "When does my health insurance coverage end?"
4. "Will I receive a severance package? When will I receive the details?"
5. "What happens to my 401(k) and other benefits?"
6. "Who should I contact if I have questions?"
7. "What's the process for returning company equipment?"
8. "Can I get a reference from my manager?"

✅ Don't Sign Anything Yet

If they hand you a severance agreement:

• Accept the paperwork
• Say: "Thank you, I'll review this and get back to you"
• Ask: "What's the deadline for returning this?"

You typically have 21+ days to review. There's no reason to sign on the spot.

✅ Gather Personal Items

Physical items:

• Personal belongings from your desk/locker
• Any personal snacks, photos, plants
• Your own chargers, headphones, etc.

Digital items (check what's permitted):

• Forward personal emails to your personal account
• Save contact info for colleagues
• Download performance reviews if accessible
• Save work samples you're entitled to keep

✅ Return Company Property

Make a list of what you need to return:

• Laptop and chargers
• Phone (if company-issued)
• ID badge/access cards
• Keys
• Credit cards
• Any other company equipment

Ask for a receipt documenting what you returned.

Within the First Few Hours

✅ File for Unemployment

Do this TODAY. Most states have a waiting period before benefits begin—the sooner you file, the sooner you'll get paid.

What you'll need:

• Social Security number
• Driver's license or ID
• Your most recent employer's name and address
• Dates of employment
• Reason for separation (layoff/reduction in force)

Filing usually takes 15-30 minutes online.

State-by-State Unemployment Guide →

✅ Notify Your Emergency Contact (If Applicable)

If someone might be expecting you or needs to know:

• Call/text your spouse or partner
• You don't need to tell everyone today—just the essential people

✅ Don't Post on Social Media Yet

Resist the urge to immediately post about your layoff. You'll want to:

• Wait until you've processed the news
• Review any agreements you've signed or will sign
• Craft a thoughtful message when you're ready

Later Today or This Evening

✅ Review What You Were Given

Look through any paperwork you received:

• Severance agreement (don't sign yet!)
• COBRA information
• 401(k) information
• Final paycheck details
• Company policies on references

✅ Check Your Email Access

Find out:

• When will your email access be cut off?
• Do you have any personal emails to forward?
• Are there contacts you need to save?

✅ Update Your Personal Records

While the information is fresh:

• Write down your job title and dates of employment
• List your key accomplishments and projects
• Note the names and contact info of potential references
• Save any metrics or achievements you can document

✅ Take Care of Yourself

This is important:

• Eat something, even if you're not hungry
• Call someone you trust
• Go for a walk
• Don't make any major decisions today
• Avoid alcohol (it won't help)

What Can Wait Until Tomorrow

Not everything needs to happen today. These can wait:

• Updating your resume — Do it this week, not today
• Telling extended family/friends — Wait until you've processed
• Applying for jobs — Take a day to regroup
• Making big financial decisions — Sleep on it
• Negotiating severance — You have time

What NOT to Do

❌ Don't badmouth your employer

Not on social media, not to former colleagues, not anywhere. It won't help and could hurt your job search.

❌ Don't sign anything under pressure

You have time. Use it.

❌ Don't delete anything from company devices

This could be seen as destroying company property. Return everything as-is.

❌ Don't take confidential information

Even if you think you need it for your job search, don't take confidential company data, client lists, or proprietary information.

❌ Don't isolate yourself

Reach out to at least one person today. You don't have to go through this alone.

❌ Don't make major financial decisions

Now is not the time to sell investments, take out loans, or make other big money moves. Give yourself a few days.

Checklist Summary

Print this out or screenshot it:

Before leaving:

• [ ] Stay calm and professional
• [ ] Ask the 8 key questions
• [ ] Don't sign anything
• [ ] Gather personal items
• [ ] Return company property (get receipt)

Within a few hours:

• [ ] File for unemployment
• [ ] Notify essential people only
• [ ] Don't post on social media

Later today:

• [ ] Review all paperwork
• [ ] Check email access timeline
• [ ] Document your accomplishments
• [ ] Take care of yourself

Tomorrow:

• [ ] Start reviewing severance offer
• [ ] Begin thinking about health insurance options
• [ ] Rest and regroup

What's Next?

You survived Day 1. That's genuinely an accomplishment.

Tomorrow, you'll start tackling the next steps:

• Your First Week Action Plan →
• How to Negotiate Severance →
• Understanding Your Health Insurance Options →

Remember: Millions of people have been where you are right now, and they came out the other side. You will too.