What is the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)?

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) is a federal law that requires employers in Washington state with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days’ notice to impacted workers and local government agencies before laying off a large number of employees or closing a business. WARN is designed to minimize the trauma to individuals and their families from large-scale layoffs, as well as to help local communities plan for the disruption that accompanies a large-scale plant closing. Under WARN, employers are required to provide employees with written notice of a plant closing or large-scale layoff at least 60 days before the action takes effect. WARN also requires employers to provide notice to state and local government agencies to help them plan for the displacement of workers. In addition to requiring employers to give workers and government officials advance warning of layoffs and closings, WARN also provides certain employee benefits. For example, it prohibits employers from taking measures to prevent workers from exercising their rights under the law and it requires employers to continue providing health care coverage for affected workers for the60-day period following the notice period. Finally, WARN requires employers to provide outplacement services to affected workers. These services can include job training, job search assistance, and resume writing and interviewing skills training. This helps workers find new employment opportunities and become better prepared to face the changes brought about by large-scale layoffs or plant closings.

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What is the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)?

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