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

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) is a federal law enacted in 1989 that requires certain employers to give their employees at least 60 days notice before a plant closing or mass layoff. WARN applies in the state of Minnesota to employers that have at least 100 employees (not counting part-time employees) and are closing a business or laying off at least 33% of their workforce in a 30-day period. WARN is intended to provide employees affected by a plant closing or mass layoff with sufficient time to seek other employment or make other arrangements, such as enrolling in retraining programs. Upon receipt of a WARN notice, employees are given 60 calendar days to find other employment and may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits during this period. WARN applies to all employers, regardless of size, except for government entities. WARN also applies to companies that are partially owned by the government. WARN does not, however, provide job protection for employees affected by a plant closing or mass layoff. In addition to providing employees with 60 days notice of closure or layoff, employers must also provide each affected employee with a written notice that explains the rights and benefits provided by WARN. Employers that violate the WARN regulations may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

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

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