A layoff can make ordinary tasks feel harder. There may be papers to review, benefits to sort out, bills to plan for, and people asking what happened before you have had time to think. The first week is not about solving everything. It is about slowing the process down enough to protect yourself, gather the right information, and use the help that may already be available. Here is a practical laid off checklist for what to do after being laid off, especially before you sign a