Getting laid off can be a tricky thing for anyone to navigate, especially in today’s economy. From a failing business to budget cuts to unfair treatment, you can get laid off at the drop of a hat. If you’re unlucky enough to get laid off and you didn’t have enough time to plan things, you may be in a pickle. If you, or someone you know, has recently been laid off and you’re looking for what to do next, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 6 expert legal tips to help you sort out and plan out your next few steps to stay afloat!
1. Get Your Layoff In Writing
The first thing you need to do when you get laid off at your workplace is to get everything in writing. Getting laid off means that your working contract or agreement was because of something out of your control. Whether because of an economic downturn, buyout, or merger, you need to have the reason for your layoff written in your layoff letter.
There’s a pretty big difference between getting fired and settling laid off, and getting the paperwork done in writing can help you down the line. Finally, make sure to read through the layoff letter before accepting it, and get any revisions done before you sign.
2. Check For Wrongful Termination
In some cases, you won’t receive a formal layoff letter, because you may have been subjected to unlawful termination. If you’re not sure, this wrongful termination law firm in Los Angeles can help you tell if you’ve been fired unfairly. Employers can unlawfully fire you for a multitude of reasons, and it’s important to know your rights.
While the laws and regulations may differ, no employer has the right to fire you without reason or without enough notice beforehand. If you’ve been treated unfairly with your firing or laying off, having the right lawyer to back you up is a smart move. To get the compensation you need and deserve for your unlawful termination, be sure to look into the issue.
3. Negotiate For Severance
In most cases, employers will offer their employees a severance package or benefits, in case of a layoff. During these layoff conversations, you may have a chance to negotiate the terms and review the conditions of your termination. Take care to carefully review the details of the agreements to see if there’s any cause of unlawful termination.
Try to negotiate things like compensation payout, outplacements, retraining services, or health benefits. Although you may not have a lot of legroom to negotiate, you owe it to your future self to at least try. Run through the terms and conditions with your lawyer to make sure you’re understanding everything.
4. File For Unemployment
Once you’ve sorted out all the paperwork concerning your layoff, it’s time to sort out your unemployment paperwork. If you want to stay afloat, keep your options open, and make some good financial decisions, start by filing for unemployment. You need to do this ASAP as filing the paperwork can take ages.
Filing for unemployment can help take some of the pressure off of your shoulders while you scramble to find a job. It can help keep you financially stable with benefits while you navigate the waters of unemployment.
5. Sort Out Your Health Insurance
After sorting out your unemployment paperwork and getting some financial aid, it’s time to focus on your health insurance. Once you’re laid off, your previous employer-sponsor insurance coverage will typically end. Your layoff package should give you a few options and health insurance statuses to choose from.
When looking through your options, don’t be shy to ask questions or to clarify. Navigating insurance policies can be tricky, and it’s always good to be safe and sure. Make sure you’re up to date with your options, because although you can go without insurance, it’s not recommended.
6. Keep Your Chin Up
Last but not least, when it comes to being laid off, it’s important to stay positive and keep your chin up. After being laid off, you’re likely to feel discarded, hopeless, or like a failure. While these feelings and emotions are natural and it’s healthy to acknowledge them, you can’t let them control you.
Take a few days to process and then get back out there and back into things! Sort out all your legal documents and paperwork as soon as possible to set your foundations. Start applying for jobs, fix up your CV and resume, and don’t give up!
With this guide in mind, you’re ready to handle the legalities of your layoff like a pro! First, start by getting your layoff in writing and making sure you weren’t wrongfully terminated. Try to negotiate the terms of your severance and get help from a lawyer to help you through it. Make sure to file for unemployment and sort out your health insurance and remember to keep your chin up!