Introduction

WARN: Employer’s guide to advance notice closings and layoffs

In our dynamic economy, many companies are streamlining their operations to maintain a competitive position in the marketplace. Although such actions can help your company become more efficient, this may result in the elimination of existing jobs and facilities.

In 1988, Congress passed the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act to provide workers with sufficient time to prepare for the transition between the jobs they currently hold and new jobs. This transition may involve the provision of information about where new jobs may be found, or it may involve providing workers with other employment or retraining opportunities before they lose their jobs. In order to assist in maintaining the stability of the economy, the U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing adjustment services to workers and employers and their affected communities.

As an employer, understanding your obligations under WARN is important. Your filing of an official WARN notice is typically the impetus for starting the Rapid Response process to assist the employees who might be affected. This guide provides information on how employers can achieve their business objectives while also protecting their employees.

This guide constitutes a general overview of the law and does not replace the advice of counsel.