References when my manager was laid off too after 14 years as an event coordinator

I worry a reference will only confirm dates of employment. I am in Fresno, in case local advice matters. HR only confirms titles and dates. Is a client acceptable?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 6 months ago, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It saved me later.