Hey friend,

In Issue #0, we introduced the 5 Things to Do After a Layoff — a blueprint for turning panic into power. This week, we zoom in on #1: Know Your Rights.

Because the more you know, the less you fear.

A layoff conversation can feel like a tidal wave. Here’s your anchor:

✅ Get it in writing
Ask for an official termination letter with your last day, reason for termination, and payout/benefit info.

✅ Don’t sign anything immediately
Separation agreements often include legal waivers. You have the right to review them (typically for 21+ days). Take the time.

✅ Take notes
Write down what HR tells you, including timelines for your final paycheck, benefits cutoff, and COBRA options.

✅ Get a contact person
Ask who to reach out to if questions or issues arise in the weeks ahead.

If you're offered a severance package, remember: it's not charity — it's part of your exit terms, and you can (and should) review it carefully.

Severance isn’t just a lump-sum check. A good package can include a mix of:

💡 Pro Tip from Indeed: If you were let go during a company-wide RIF (reduction in force), you might have more leverage — especially if peers received stronger terms.

Federal law gives workers over 40 at least 21 days to review a severance agreement and 7 days to revoke it after signing. Even if you're under 40, ask for a similar window. You don’t have to sign anything immediately.

Severance agreements often include legal waivers, such as:

Ask: what am I giving up in exchange for this severance?

If you feel uneasy or suspect your layoff was unjust, consult a labor or employment attorney. They can help you evaluate whether you're entitled to more — especially if your rights may have been violated.

Many offer free consultations, and it’s often money well spent when you're negotiating your exit on fair terms.

You’ve earned this support. Here's how to get it:

📅 File as soon as possible — Waiting can delay your first payment.

🌍 Each state is different — Use USA.gov to find your local rules and application portal.

💡 Worried because you were fired, not laid off? You may still qualify unless you were fired for serious misconduct. Find out more here.

🧠 Pro Tip: You can freelance or consult while receiving benefits — just report your earnings.

Health insurance doesn't have to vanish overnight. You’ve got two main paths:

🩺 COBRA — Keep your employer plan for up to 18 months. Expect to pay full premiums + 2% fee. Costly but good if you want continuity of care.

🛒 Marketplace — Losing a job qualifies you for a special enrollment window. Subsidies can drastically lower premiums depending on income. Check options at HealthCare.gov

💡 Compare total cost + network coverage before deciding.

Here are direct questions to help you cover all essential bases:

You didn’t get laid off because you failed. You got laid off because something changed — a budget, a board, a decision you had no say in. Your worth hasn’t dropped a cent. Your story’s just shifting chapters.

Keep going. We're right here with you.

Make a list of everything you’re owed: final paycheck, unused PTO, severance, commissions, stock, health insurance. Use it as a checklist when reviewing your separation paperwork. Bonus: Ask HR every question you don’t yet have a clear answer for.

You may not have had control over the layoff — but you do have control over how you leave. Ask questions. Take notes. Take your time. You’re not being difficult; you’re being thorough. That’s power.

Coming soon! We’ll be sharing job leads from trusted folks once they start rolling in.
👉 Submit a lead →

If you’ve recently been laid off and want visibility, we’d love to spotlight you.
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In future issues, you’ll get:

This is just the beginning. We’re building something real here — together.

Keep going.
Keep breathing.
You’ve got this.

— Win
Fellow layoff survivor, creator of Let Go Weekly