Why the first day matters more than the headline
On October 28, 2026, Dropbox announced about 200 role eliminations, approximately 9% of its global workforce. Its announcement described support for affected employees. Those are Dropbox’s stated terms, not a standard package every employer must provide.
This checklist is for U.S. workers. State rules, benefit plans and individual agreements differ; outside the U.S., start with your local labor agency. If your immigration status depends on your job, make qualified immigration advice an immediate priority.
First hour: request the facts, not every answer
Ask HR for the separation notice, proposed agreement, last employment date, final-pay information and a personal contact for follow-up. Confirm the deadlines to review documents and any separate deadlines for benefits or equity. You do not need to treat every decision as equally urgent.
Keep copies of your own employment and benefits records that you are authorized to retain. Do not copy client lists, source code, confidential business files or other people’s data. Ask how to retrieve personal files and return equipment through the company’s approved process.
Before access closes: make a simple transition sheet
Use one document with these columns: item, person to contact, confirmed date, next action. Record:
- Your final employment date and the contact for payroll questions.
- When medical, dental and other coverage ends—not just your last workday.
- Any severance decision date and proposed payment schedule.
- Retirement-plan contact details, account access and plan documents.
- Equity or bonus questions, including any exercise or claim deadlines to verify.
- Equipment-return instructions and access to your personal tax records.
If a date is unknown, write “unconfirmed” rather than guessing. Keep the answer and the source together so you can distinguish a phone conversation from a written commitment.
Today: compare health-coverage paths
Ask the benefits administrator for your coverage end date and continuation options. The Department of Labor’s job-loss guide explains that eligible people generally have at least 60 days to elect COBRA, measured from the later of the election notice or coverage loss. Confirm your eligibility, cost and exact dates with the plan; do not assume COBRA is available in every situation.
HealthCare.gov explains Marketplace options after losing job-based coverage, including a special enrollment period generally extending 60 days after the coverage loss. Compare premiums, provider networks, prescriptions and the start date. If you have Medicare or another special circumstance, check the rules that apply to you before choosing.
Today: collect money questions without rushing a withdrawal
Ask payroll what is owed, when it will be paid and how the employer is treating severance, leave and bonuses. Check unemployment eligibility and application instructions with your state workforce agency; an employer announcement does not determine your eligibility.
The IRS notes that severance and unemployment compensation are taxable for federal income-tax purposes. Confirm withholding rather than budgeting from the gross amount alone.
A job loss does not automatically mean you should cash out a 401(k). The IRS describes several possible retirement-account paths, depending on the plan and your circumstances. Gather fees, account details and any notices first. A distribution can have tax consequences; get qualified help before making an irreversible decision.
A short email you can send HR
Hi [name], could you confirm my final employment date, final-pay schedule, health-coverage end date, benefits-election deadlines and the deadline for reviewing the separation agreement? Please also share the personal contact and documents I should use after company access ends. Thank you.
Before bed: set up tomorrow, not a hundred applications
Write down your recent responsibilities and supported achievements while they are fresh. Choose two people you would feel comfortable asking for a reference. Set a realistic first search block for tomorrow and leave yourself time away from the screen.
When you restart applications, verify the employer and opening before investing in a tailored application. Save the original job URL and requisition ID. After applying, keep the submission receipt separate from a portal’s status label.
Make your next application count
Lumen helps assess public listing signals and evidence gaps. It cannot guarantee a vacancy is active or replace your benefits administrator.
Check a listing with LumenGeneral information, not individualized legal, tax, investment or benefits advice. Use your plan documents, government agencies and qualified advisers for decisions about your situation.