{"id":396013,"date":"2026-05-06T14:04:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T19:04:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=396013"},"modified":"2026-05-06T13:54:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T18:54:52","slug":"what-is-the-warn-act-employee-rights-and-layoff-notice-requirements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/what-is-the-warn-act-employee-rights-and-layoff-notice-requirements.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is the WARN Act? Employee Rights and Layoff Notice Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Is the WARN Act? Employee Rights and Layoff Notice Requirements<\/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 WARN Act<\/span> is a federal law that requires large employers to provide at least 60 days’ advance notice<\/span> to employees before plant closings<\/span> or mass layoffs<\/span>. Employers who violate WARN Act<\/span> requirements may be liable for back pay<\/span> and benefits to affected employees<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Worker Adjustment and <\/span>Retraining<\/span> Notification<\/span> Act<\/span>, often called the WARN Act<\/span>, is a federal law that protects workers against sudden mass job loss<\/span> events. Enacted in 1988, this law helps workers and communities prepare for large-scale job loss<\/span> by requiring large employers to provide affected employees<\/span> with advance notice<\/span> of certain \u201ctriggering\u201d events, namely plant closings<\/span> and mass layoffs<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you lose your job without receiving proper 60 days\u2019 notice and the federal <\/span>WARN Act<\/span> applies<\/span>, you could be entitled to financial recovery from your employer.<\/p>\n

While the WARN Act<\/span> is a federal law, many states also have their own version. Some provide more protection than the federal act. This article focuses on the federal <\/span>WARN Act<\/span>, including your employer\u2019s compliance obligations<\/a> and your rights as an employee. Knowing your employment rights is the key to protecting them.<\/p>\n

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

Covered employers<\/span> must comply with the WARN Act<\/span>. The federal <\/span>WARN Act<\/span> covers any \u201cbusiness enterprise\u201d that employs:<\/p>\n