Losing a job is jarring, even when you saw it coming, and the first week after layoff is rarely calm. In the first week after layoff, your head will be full of worry, and that is exactly when small decisions can have large consequences. This is a plain, practical plan for those first days. It is not legal or financial advice, but a checklist of things worth doing calmly and in a sensible order.
Your first week after layoff: breathe, then read everything
Start by pausing. You do not have to decide your future today, and nothing in the first week after layoff requires a final answer. If you were handed documents, read them slowly, preferably at home and not in the meeting room. Do not sign anything you do not understand, and ask whether you have time to review it. Many separation agreements allow a few days or longer, though it depends on where you live.
In your first week after layoff, write down what was said and by whom while it is fresh, including the time and place of the meeting. Note your last working day, how much notice you were given, and what happens to pay for unused leave. The first week after layoff is mostly about collecting accurate information.
Understand what you might be owed
Look at your contract, your final pay details and the separation offer. Common items include notice pay or severance, unused vacation time, bonuses already earned, and expense reimbursements. Rules vary by country and by contract, so what applies to a colleague may differ from your case.
If anything is unclear, ask the company in writing. Written answers protect you if there is a disagreement later, and they give you something to refer back to when memories blur. If there is a serious question about fairness or whether the terms are lawful, consider talking to an employment lawyer or a local worker advice service. A short consultation can be cheap compared with the value of what is at stake.
Also check how to apply for any unemployment support in your area during the first week after layoff. Deadlines exist, and applying early can prevent gaps in payments.
Health cover, retirement and equity
Find out when your health insurance ends. In some places it stops on your last day, in others at the end of the month, and some offer a way to continue coverage at your own cost. If you or a family member has ongoing treatment or prescriptions, sort out the details this week, before a gap causes trouble.
Look at retirement accounts and company shares or options. Make a short list of every account tied to your employer, such as payroll, benefits and learning platforms, and note which ones you will lose access to. Learn what you can keep, what you must act on, and by when. Options and similar rewards often come with short deadlines after you leave, and missing them can mean losing them. Do not rush into expensive decisions, but do not ignore the dates either.
Money comes next in the first week after layoff. Add up what you have: savings, final pay, any severance and support payments. Then list what you must pay each month, such as rent, food, insurance and debts. Divide your savings by that number to estimate how many months you can manage.
Next, find what can be paused or trimmed. Review subscriptions, delay big purchases and contact lenders early if you expect trouble. Many are willing to discuss options before you miss a payment. A plan, even a modest one, reduces fear.
Save your work-related information
In the first week after layoff, gather things you are allowed to keep: your own performance reviews, a list of projects and achievements, and contact details for colleagues you worked well with. Do not take confidential files, customer data or anything that belongs to the company, since that can cause legal trouble. Instead, write a simple record of what you did and the results, in your own words.
Ask for references while people still remember your work, ideally within the first week after layoff. A former manager or teammate may be happy to write a short note or agree to be a reference. Many people in a layoff feel guilty about asking, but colleagues usually want to help.
Tell your network, then protect your wellbeing
When you feel ready, tell people. Friends, former coworkers and contacts in your field often hear about openings first. A short, honest message works well: say what happened, what kind of role you are looking for, and how they might help. Layoffs are common, and they are not a statement about your worth.
Look after yourself too, starting in the first week after layoff. Sleep, exercise and talking with people you trust help more than they sound. It is normal to feel anger, relief, fear or all three. If the stress becomes overwhelming, reach out to a doctor or a support line.
By the end of your first week after layoff, you do not need a new job. You need a clear picture of your money and benefits, your paperwork in order, a few people informed, and a routine. From that steady base, plan the search itself: update your resume, list target roles, set a daily limit for applications and give yourself rest. A calm start tends to make every later step easier.
For a neutral background reference, the Wikipedia article on Layoff is a useful place to start.
Related reading: If Your Tech Employer Announces Layoffs: A Practical Plan and Layoffs Blamed on AI: How to Read the Claim and Protect Yourself.
