Layoff Survival Guide

The calm, complete guide to surviving a layoff - before, during, and after.

Most books about job loss are written for one moment: the day after. This one starts earlier and stays longer.

Layoff Survival Guide is a practical reference for any working adult facing a possible layoff, going through one right now, or rebuilding after one. It's organized in three parts - Before, During, and After - so you can read it in advance and prepare, or open it the night you get the news and find what you need first.

Written in a calm, plainspoken voice, this book treats you as an adult who can handle real information. No motivational fluff. No fear-mongering. Just the practical knowledge most people wish they'd had earlier - financial runway math, severance package walkthroughs, negotiation scripts, health insurance decision trees, unemployment filing checklists, networking templates that don't feel like begging, interview answers that explain a layoff cleanly, and an honest treatment of the emotional side most career books skip.

What's inside

• 22 chapters covering every stage of the layoff arc, from reading the early warning signals through evaluating the next offer.
• 9 appendices with copy-ready scripts, email templates, worksheets, decision flowcharts, a 30/60/90-day action plan, a job search tracker, a layoff budget worksheet, an interview answer bank, and a list of official resources.
• An "Emergency First Steps" action card in the front matter for readers who need help tonight.
• A dedicated chapter on special situations for remote workers, contractors, part-time and hourly workers, visa-dependent workers, union members, older workers, caregivers on leave, workers managing medical conditions, near-retirement workers, and managers laid off alongside their teams.
• Practical legal orientation on severance agreements, OWBPA review periods, the WARN Act, COBRA, ACA marketplace coverage, unemployment eligibility, non-competes, equity treatment at termination, and discrimination protections - written as a starting point for conversations with qualified professionals, not as legal advice.
• A Topic Guide for fast lookup, plus a Glossary of the key terms used throughout.

Who this book is for

• Workers who are reading the signals and want to prepare while there's still time.
• Anyone who was laid off recently and needs a calm, complete reference for the days, weeks, and months ahead.
• Managers and HR partners who want to understand what good severance support looks like.
• Spouses, partners, family members, and friends supporting someone through a layoff.

"You have more time than you feel like you do. Slow down. Read on."