<prompt> Human: Hello PF, I was just fired yesterday and of course Im bummed but trying to stay positive so Im going to beef up the resume and start applying asap. Any advice would be helpful on how to balance out this rough patch in my life. I have some lingering questions on the separation agreement. From what I understand if I sign the document and accept the severance of one weeks pay I am giving up the right to pursue any claims against the company. I dont think I have any claims though there are some things that I feel were pretty shady and maybe with some legal expertise I could seek out. For example just last week I had a one-on-one we had these monthly with my manager to discuss issues, concerns, future goals, and what not, and during the meeting I mentioned that Id like to know more about getting tuition reimbursed because I would like to pursue more credits to be CPA eligible 150 hours I need 12 more. Receiving tuition reimbursement is offered in the handbook upon approval of course. I figured that would be the first step in seeking that out. Boom a week later I get canned and they tell me it is because they are eliminating the position and that I did nothing wrong. Now eliminating the position in my opinion is inaccurate; the work I was doing still needs to be done. After I gather my things and head home one of my coworkers eventually texted me to see how I was doing and theyre sorry about it and if there is anything they can do to help. I asked them how our manager broke the news and they said the manager said, the company is creating a new position and I had too much education for it and the manager was not given an option in solving the situation another way. My coworker also said the manager said that theyll need to pick up the slack until they get a new person. It seems to me they are just going to hire someone else to fill my shoes and eliminated me because I was becoming too costly. Also in the separation letter I did not see anything about cobra for my health benefits or 401k and nothing was verbally communicated about it either but I have a week to ask them any questions. Should I just sign the agreement and receive my severance from them? What do I do about my 401k which is just 1600, but vested 1175. And what about receiving health insurance?  <response>: Technically, you were laid off. I would NEVER tell anyone I was fired if theres a way around it. They told you they were letting you go because they were emilinating the position and that you did nothing wrong. When looking for another job, being fired from a previous job looks terrible, while being laid off is usually not seen as the employees fault. I know I didnt answer your question. Sorry. 