With U.S. job cuts on pace to exceed totals not seen since 2009—a majority driven by downsizing and restructuring—labor and employment attorneys from Norris McLaughlin are urging employees to prepare an “employee go bag.” This critical physical or digital file contains essential documentation employees should have immediately accessible in the event of an unexpected termination or workplace dispute.
Attorneys David Harmon and Mariya Gonor, co-hosts of the podcast and blog The Employment Strategists, outlined the necessity of this preparatory measure in their latest episode.
“Most people prepare a go bag for emergencies, but here’s one you may not have thought of — an employment go bag,” Gonor, co-chair of the Executive Compensation and Employment Strategies practice group said. “This is a collection of documents every employee should have ready in case they lose their job or need to protect themselves in a workplace dispute.”
The nationwide job uncertainty—with over 2 million jobs already cut through October—makes knowing one’s rights and having information readily available more crucial than ever.
“Think of it as your insurance policy,” Harmon stressed. “When you’re suddenly terminated, furloughed, or even just considering a claim, you don’t want to be scrambling for paperwork. You want everything in one place.”
The firm advises that an employee go bag is essential because when an employee is terminated, they often lose immediate access to company systems where important documents might be stored.
The attorneys did not list the specific documents in the provided text, but their advice underscores the need for proactive preparedness in an unpredictable labor market. The advice from the Bridgewater-based firm’s labor and employment attorneys comes as data suggests job cuts are overwhelmingly due to corporate restructuring rather than individual job performance.
The legal duo continues to offer insights into complex employment issues through their discussions on The Employment Strategists podcast and blog, covering everything from hiring to termination.
