Losing a job suddenly is stressful, and it’s hard to think clearly in the moment. But what you do in the first few days can matter later. Here’s a calm, practical starting point.
- Check your final pay. In California, when you’re fired, your employer generally owes all your final wages right away, including any earned, unused vacation. Make sure the amount is right and nothing’s missing.
- Preserve your records. Hold on to anything you already have: your offer letter, contract, handbook, any arbitration agreement, pay stubs, performance reviews, and termination paperwork. Don’t delete relevant emails or texts, even unflattering ones. Preserving records is critical, and deleting them can hurt a future claim.
- Write down what happened. While it’s fresh, jot down a dated timeline, who said what, and any reasons you were given for the termination.
- Don’t rush to sign anything. Severance and release agreements usually ask you to give up your right to sue. You typically have time to review, and if you’re 40 or older, a legal right to consider it before signing. Have someone look at it first.
- File for unemployment. Being fired doesn’t automatically disqualify you from benefits, so apply promptly rather than assuming you don’t qualify.
When to call a lawyer. If the firing felt connected to a protected reason, like discrimination, retaliation, reporting something illegal, or taking leave, or if your final pay looks off, a quick consultation can tell you where you stand. Grochow Law offers free consultations to California employees.
