Losing your job is emotionally, physiologically, and financially an overwhelming experience. This is especially true if you lose your job, through no fault of your own, such as through a layoff. If you have been laid off from work, you should consider taking the following actions:
1. Speak With An Employment Law Attorney
Before you take action or try to negotiate your layoff, you should speak with an experienced employment law attorney. You may lose options and arguments if you act too quickly. An experienced employment law attorney can help you evaluate your matter and develop an approach to fit your objectives.
2. Did Your Employer Offer You A Severance Agreement
While generally not legally required to provide severance, some employers provide employees with such benefits. Severance agreement offers are often time-sensitive and include, among other restrictions, a release of claims. Before you accept, reject, or try to negotiate your severance agreement, speak with an employment law attorney to understand your rights and options.
3. Confirm You Received Your Final Pay
Make sure your employer paid you all of your final wages. This may include your last paycheck, all overtime hours, all accrued, but unused vacation time, bonuses, commissions, and other amounts.
4. Determine Your Health Insurance Coverage
Did your employer cease your health insurance coverage on the day you were laid off from work? Are they covering it to the end of the next pay period, the end of the month, or some other period? Did your employer provide you your COBRA information?
5. Understand Your Contractual Rights
Did you sign a non-compete agreement, proprietary agreement, or other employment contracts? As you search for your next employment opportunity, it is important that you understand if you are under any contractual obligations.
Bottom Line:
Contact the Maura Greene Law Group if you are laid off from work. We can help you understand your rights and options.
Contact us at 617-936-1580 or email us at mglgstaff@mauragreenelaw.com
The Not-So-Fine Print:
Every case has its own unique facts. Before you take any action, you should contact an employment lawyer and get advice on your own situation. We can’t provide legal advice here and this isn’t intended as legal advice. It is best, if possible, to establish a relationship with an attorney before a workplace issue turns into a crisis.