| name | layoff-first-72-hours |
| description | Steady the first 72 hours after being laid off — the practical, financial, and emotional moves in the right order, before panic-applying to everything. Use when asked I just got laid off what do I do, help me after a layoff, I lost my job, or just got made redundant. Produces a calm first-days checklist (understand the severance/package, protect benefits and finances, secure references and contacts, file for support), what to negotiate before signing anything, an emotional-footing note, and a bridge into the job search — not a frantic same-day scramble. Not legal or financial advice. |
| homepage | https://mohitagw15856.github.io/pm-claude-skills/skill/layoff-first-72-hours.html |
| metadata | {"openclaw":{"emoji":"🧭"}} |
Layoff: First 72 Hours
A layoff is a shock, and the instinct is to either freeze or panic-apply to 100 jobs by nightfall. Neither helps. The first few days are for steadying yourself and handling the time-sensitive, high-value things — the severance terms, benefits continuity, references, and support you're entitled to — before the job search. This lays them out in a calm order.
What This Skill Produces
- A first-days checklist — the practical moves in priority order, spread over days, not a same-day frenzy
- Package review — understanding the severance/redundancy terms, and what may be negotiable before you sign
- Benefits & finances — protecting health coverage, understanding final pay/accruals, and filing for any unemployment/support you're entitled to
- Relationships to secure now — references, recommendations, and contacts while goodwill is fresh
- Emotional footing — permission to feel it, and a note that your worth isn't the layoff
- A bridge to the search — how to transition into job-hunting from a steady base
Required Inputs
Ask for these if not provided:
- The situation — when, whether there's a severance/package, and any documents to sign
- Your finances — runway, obligations, and how urgent income is
- Benefits — health coverage and anything tied to the job
- Region — affects support/unemployment and rights
- Your state — steady enough to plan, or in shock (pace accordingly)
Framework: Steady First, Then The High-Value Moves
- Don't sign or panic-apply immediately. Give yourself a beat. Severance documents can often wait a little, and rushed applications are weak ones.
- Understand (and maybe negotiate) the package. Read the severance/redundancy terms; some elements (notice, payout, references, timing) may be negotiable — consider advice before signing anything binding.
- Protect benefits and cash flow. Sort health coverage continuity, confirm final pay/accrued leave, and file for unemployment/support promptly (these have timelines).
- Secure relationships while warm. Ask for references, LinkedIn recommendations, and keep contacts before people scatter — goodwill fades.
- Tend to your head. A layoff is usually about the business, not your worth — build in support and routine before the search grind.
- Then bridge to the search. Move into job-hunting from a steady, organized base — resume, targets, and outreach — rather than a frightened scramble.
Output Format
After the layoff: [severance?] · runway [x] · [region]
First (don't rush): don't sign or mass-apply today — steady first.
Package: review [severance/redundancy terms] · possibly negotiable: [notice/payout/references] — advice before signing.
Protect: health coverage [continuity] · final pay/accruals · file for [unemployment/support] (mind deadlines).
Secure now: references · recommendations · contacts.
Your head: [this is about the business; support + routine].
Bridge to the search: [resume · targets · outreach — from a steady base].
Not legal or financial advice. For severance terms or benefits questions, consider a professional; check your region's support programs and deadlines.
Quality Checks
Anti-Patterns
- Signing the severance immediately without understanding/negotiating.
- Panic-applying to everything the same day.
- Missing benefit continuity / support deadlines.
- Forgetting references until contacts have scattered.
- Ignoring the emotional hit and burning out.
Example Trigger Phrases
- "I just got laid off — what do I do first?"
- "Help me handle the first few days after losing my job."
- "Should I sign this severance agreement right away?"
- "I was made redundant — what am I entitled to and what do I sort out?"
- "How do I not panic after a layoff and do the right things?"
