Your last day after redundancy: a checklist (property, pay, references, your data)

Money

• Final pay is due on your last day, or as soon as possible and no later than the next scheduled payday (Employment NZ).
• Ask for a payslip breakdown: wages, notice, annual leave, public holiday pay, redundancy compensation, and any deductions. Check it against the Final Pay Calculator.
• Keep wage records: employers must hold wage, time, holiday and leave records for at least 6 years and PAYE information for 7.
• Check for expense claims, bonuses, commission, and any owed phone or travel allowances.
• If something is missing, email payroll immediately.

Property and access

• Return all company property: laptop, phone, tools, vehicle, keys, cards and uniform. Employment NZ says the employer should collect it on the last day or soon after.
• Ask for a signed list or receipt for what you returned.
• Remove personal files, photos and accounts from company devices, and sign out of personal accounts. Don't take company confidential data.
• Ask about out-of-office and forwarding of emails. Set a polite message with a personal contact if allowed.
• Collect personal belongings and your own documents (qualifications, certificates).

Statement of service and references

• The employer must give a statement of service if you ask. It normally covers your position, length of service and reasons for leaving. A certificate records start and end dates.
• A reference isn't required, but if one is given, it must be truthful (Employment NZ). It can be verbal or written.
• Ask your manager now: 'Would you be willing to give me a reference?' Agree on what they'll say about the redundancy, i.e. that the role was disestablished.
• Ask them to put it in a letter or LinkedIn recommendation while they have goodwill.
• If you're 18 or 19 and on the starting-out wage, always ask for a statement of service (Employment NZ).

Your personal information (Privacy Act)

You can ask your employer for personal information they hold about you, such as HR file notes, performance records, scoring from the restructure, and emails about you. The Privacy Commissioner says they must respond within 20 working days; they may extend only in limited cases and must tell you why. They can withhold some information but must explain. If they don't respond, contact their privacy officer, then the Privacy Commissioner.

KiwiSaver, benefits and admin

• KiwiSaver: your savings stay with your provider. You can keep contributing directly or take a contributions holiday. Check the provider's fees before choosing.
• Check your last KiwiSaver contribution from regular pay and that the correct tax code is on file. IRD says no KiwiSaver is deducted from a redundancy payment itself.
• Medical, income protection and other work insurance cover may end on your last day. Check before you leave.
• Update your details with IRD (myIR), and keep your payslips and the termination letter.
• Immigration: if you're on a work visa, see the migrants section right away.
• Employer-provided benefits such as a phone number, car, health insurance and discounts: ask for the end dates.
• Reflect: write down your achievements and contacts while they're fresh. Add them to your CV and LinkedIn.