A calm, easy to follow, Canada-specific guide to help you navigate the first 30 days after a layoff with clarity.Written by HR, for Canadian employees.
About this guide
Hi, I’m Clay. I work in HR. I’ve been laid off, and I’ve also delivered layoffs. I created this guide because I’ve seen what usually goes wrong after job loss, and most of it is avoidable. This is a straightforward, Canada-specific walkthrough designed to help you slow down, understand your options, and make steady decisions during a disruptive moment.
What's inside
You’ll get clear guidance on what to do in the first 48 hours after a layoff, a plain English breakdown of termination pay versus severance pay in Canada, support understanding when negotiation is reasonable and what you can ask for, a step-by-step explanation of EI and how to avoid common delays, copy-and-paste email scripts for HR, recruiters, references, and salary conversations, a simple week-by-week plan for your first 30 days, red flags that may signal it’s time to speak with an employment lawyer, and grounded perspective from someone who has been on both sides of the table.
FAQ
Is this legal advice?No. This guide is for educational purposes only. If you need advice specific to your situation, you should consult an employment lawyer or qualified professional.Is this specific to Canada?Yes. The guide is written specifically for Canadian employees and references provincial employment standards and EI.Who is this for?Canadian employees who have recently been laid off and want clear, practical guidance for the first 30 days.Will this help me negotiate more severance?It explains when negotiation is reasonable and what you can ask for, but every situation is different.