Suffering a layoff? Be prepared with a gameplan

Suffering a layoff is an emotional event for any employee. Feelings of anxiety, nervousness and panic can set in and make the moment confusing. If you feel a layoff is going to occure, now is the best time to build a solid gameplan to allow for levelheaded thinking should the day come to fruition. Being prepared with a thought process of how you will take the news is more important ten dealing with just the emotional side of a separation from your current employer.

Last Paycheck- Make sure at the seperation table you know how your last check will be distributed. It is a legal requirment for companies to pay out monies owed. Have documented pending paid off time that is coming to you and discuss during the exit interview. If you are receiving a severance, make sure the amount is in writing with a time line set as to when the funds will be received. Be sure to ask about bonus monies, payouts, expense reimbursements and any pay increases that may not  have gone thru yet.

File for Unemployment- Within 48 hours, contact unemployment and file your claim. In Florida, the website is www.myflorida.com. Here you will be given the opportunity to electronically file a claim. Have dates of employment from starting date to last day wokred. Review with particular attention to the reasons for separation question. Unemployment will ask if this was a voluntary leave and make sure you note this was a layoff. 

Insurance- Written documentation should be presented as to when your insurance benefits will end. While COBRA is expensive, there is a 45 day window to retroactively enroll. Discuss with your family or a trusted adviser as to the best options for your situation. Until you find employment elsewhere, it could be a safe avenue until you can enroll with another organization.

Letters of Recommendation- Letters are important because after a layoff, employees scatter and sometimes the entire office or department is gone. Ask the permission of supervisors and department staff for their points of contact. Most employers will ask for three positive references on a job application. Utilize whatever resources the company can offer. Many companies will hire an outside firm to assist during a large restructuring. Here you will find assistance with resume writing, cover letters and job leads. Right Management is a restructuring resource that many companies such as DHL turned to in their time of layoff. See if your employer has teamed with a local resource for your layoff.

Make sure you have your contacts- Your contacts are vital in your new job search. Take the time to write down or back up your Outlook contacts and anyone that could be a potential lead for you. The ability to network will rely heavily on the ability to find people you spent a good time building a report with.