{"id":396009,"date":"2026-05-06T12:51:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=396009"},"modified":"2026-05-06T12:45:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T17:45:22","slug":"the-california-worker-adjustment-and-retraining-notification-warn-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/the-california-worker-adjustment-and-retraining-notification-warn-act.html","title":{"rendered":"The California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

The California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Carol Clasby, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

The California<\/span> Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification<\/span> (WARN) Act<\/span> is a state law that requires employers with 75 or more employees to provide 60 days’ advance written notice<\/span> before mass layoffs<\/span>, plant closures<\/span>, or relocations. This law protects workers by giving them time to prepare for job loss<\/span> and seek new employment. Employers who violate the WARN Act<\/span> may face civil penalties<\/span> and lawsuits from affected employees<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

California<\/span> employees are protected by some of the strongest labor laws<\/span> in the nation. Many California<\/span> workers are protected by the state’s <\/u>Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification<\/span> Act<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b (WARN Act<\/span>). This law, found in the California<\/span> Labor Code, protects affected employees<\/span> during mass layoffs<\/span>, terminations, and relocations. The events are known as triggering events.<\/p>\n

The Act requires employers to provide affected employees<\/span> with at least a 60-day notice<\/span> before a triggering event. The WARN <\/span>notice<\/span> requirements<\/span> also alert the Employment Development Department<\/span> (EDD<\/span>) and its dislocated worker unit<\/span>, along with the local government<\/span>, so communities can prepare for large-scale job losses<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The California<\/span> WARN Act<\/span> is similar to the <\/u>federal <\/span>WARN Act<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b, with many notice requirements<\/span> overlapping. Because the California<\/span> WARN Act<\/span> typically offers broader protection than federal law<\/span>, this article focuses on the California<\/span> law<\/span>.<\/p>\n

This article explains who is covered by the California<\/span> WARN Act<\/span>, when it is triggered, the notice requirements<\/span>, and the legal options for affected employees<\/span> if their employer violates the law.<\/p>\n

Which Employers Are Covered by the California<\/span> WARN Act<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

The California<\/span> WARN Act<\/span> protects workers and communities in certain situations involving job loss<\/span>. But not every job loss<\/span> is covered by the law. The law defines which employers are covered.<\/p>\n

The number of employees<\/span> affects which employers must comply with the California<\/span> WARN Act<\/span>. The WARN Act<\/span> only applies to a “covered establishment<\/span>.” <\/u><\/p>\n

California<\/span> law<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b defines a covered establishment<\/span> as:<\/p>\n