Washington Enacts Mini-WARN Act

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) is a federal law that requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 day’s advanced written notice of a plant closing or mass layoff.  Advanced warning is intended to give affected employees the opportunity to seek assistance, find alternate jobs or obtain training.  Many states have enacted their own requirements to provide additional protections to employees.  The state requirements are often called state WARN acts or Mini-WARN acts and the requirements are in addition to the federal requirements. 

Washington has now enacted its own Mini-WARN act, officially named “Securing Timely Notification of Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act” which goes into effect July 27, 2025.  Washington’s law applies to employers with 50 or more full-time employees in the state of Washington, and generally requires written notice to the affected employee, their union representative, and Employment Security Department (ESD).  Like the federal act, notification must be made at least 60 days prior to a business closing or mass layoff.  While certain exceptions apply, Washington’s law includes additional notice requirements beyond those in the federal law.  Furthermore, unless an exception applies, the new law provides protection from mass layoff to the employees on Paid Family and Medical Leave.  Where violations occur, the new law also grants ESD, employees, and unions the right to sue for damages. 

The full text of the Securing Timely Notification of Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act can be found here.