Our guide to dealing with a corporate blood bath

-LEN HINDSMANN All week we have been talking about the pending changes that may come for many at book marketing firm Bookspan. In life we all have to deal with pain, anger, stress etc and for some they come out on top all the time. Getting laid off from your job because the mother ship has to make good on paper, is something most of us fear. With Bertelsmann, buying out its long time Partner Time Warner’s 50% stake in Bookspan, right away anyone who isn’t naïve knew that this spelled trouble. Anyway, we’re known for being some of the most generous bastards on the net, so we decided to help prepare some of you for the day your bosses call you into a conference room to shit can you after being shit canned himself/herself. Below are the basic steps you should take before and after the shit canning. If you follow these simple steps you should be OK! They were originally published in Businessweek but we added our two cents as well. CONTINUED.... Even though your first temptation may be to say you can't fire me, I quit, that's generally not a good idea. The first thing to do is to review the company's manual that lists what kind of severance packages it offers to employees. You might also want to talk to other employees who have been fired or laid off to see what they got. But don’t expect them to tell you their business, because after all its not your business to know how much the company raped them First, update your resume and check in with your professional network. Unfortunately the only professional network some of you may have are the same jerks firing you. Don't become hostile or threaten to sue because you won’t have a chance in hell at winning anything because chances are you signed an “At Will” agreement which means they can fire your ass anytime they want without giving a reason. Say little on that fateful day and don't sign anything. Ask for the terms of any severance package in writing and schedule a time to discuss them. This is if security hasn’t escorted you out of the building already. Be prepared to negotiate severance pay, benefits and job assistance. Make sure you get all the vacation and comp time you're owed. Wait who are we kidding, their will be no negotiating, they will stick you with an offer, take it or leave it. Protect your reputation. Negotiate what kind of reference you'll get, then get it in writing. At least if you sucked at your job they will lie to your next potential employer telling them how much of a good worker you were and how sad it was for them to fire you. Seek advice early. Talk to an employment lawyer or read up on the subject. Deciding you were treated unfairly after you sign an agreement may be too late. You know what? If any of you knew anyone who was a victim of the blood bath that took place over at Time Inc, maybe they can give you some pointers.