Laid-Off Action Kit

US employers recorded 21.2 million layoffs and discharges in 2025 (BLS JOLTS). The first days after a layoff are full of deadlines that are easy to miss: you generally have 60 days to elect COBRA (DOL), severance agreements often have a signing window, and unemployment should be filed right away.

The Laid-Off Action Kit turns the shock into a 30-day plan: protect your health coverage and money first, then run a focused job search.

• 18-page printable workbook (PDF): first 48 hours checklist, questions to ask HR, before you sign a severance agreement (incl. age 40+ review period, WARN notice), filing for unemployment + weekly log, keeping health coverage (COBRA vs. Marketplace vs. spouse's plan), 30-day money triage, bills & creditors, 401(k) options, benefits & loose ends, 30-day plan, your story & resume, job application tracker, networking log, interview prep, looking after yourself, documents & contacts.
• Editable emails & scripts (Word / Google Docs): HR questions email, extension request, severance negotiation, LinkedIn post, networking message, thank-you note, creditor hardship script.
• Job search & money tracker (Excel / Google Sheets / Numbers): deadlines, budget with runway calculator, applications with status dropdown, networking, unemployment log, benefits.

Who it is for: Anyone just laid off or expecting cuts, and a thoughtful thing to send a friend who just lost their job.