What to Do After a Layoff ?
Sharing our family’s recent experience in hopes it helps anyone facing a sudden layoff.
My wife was laid off just three months after returning from maternity leave. The company offered her 3 months of severance and 6 months of benefits.Here is how we handled it—and why you shouldn't sign right away:
1. Don't Sign Immediately
Companies give you deadlines, but you have the right to review the document. Refusing to sign on the spot gave us the time to seek legal advice.
2. Hire an Employment Lawyer on Contingency
We hired an employment lawyer on a 30% contingency fee. Crucially, the 30% only applied to the improvement above the initial offer. If they didn't get us more money, we owed nothing extra—making it completely risk-free.
3. The Negotiation
Our Demand: 10 months of severance.
Company Counter: 4 months (we rejected this).
Filing a Claim: Before going to trial—which costs employers heavy time and legal fees—we filed an official claim.
Final Result: The company came back to negotiate and ultimately settled on 8 months of severance.
Key Takeaway
Never rush to sign an initial severance agreement. Consult an employment lawyer—especially under a contingency model where you only pay if they get you a better deal. It is always worth exploring your options!
