The Washington State Legislature has been busy as usual this session.
Two bills with significant implications for employers operating in Washington have recently been signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson: a state “mini-WARN” (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act and amendments to Washington’s Fair Chance Act (WFCA), which covers background checks in the employment context.
This Insight summarizes these recently signed laws and their potential consequences for employers.
Senate Bill 5525, also known as the Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act, creates a new state law effective July 27, 2025, that requires notice to certain workers facing employment loss due to a reduction in force, i.e., a business closing or mass layoff. Many employers are already familiar with the federal WARN Act. Employers that employ 50 or more employees in the state of Washington must also comply with Washington’s requirements.
As with the federal WARN Act, Washington law prohibits an employer from enacting a “business closing” or “mass layoff” until the end of a 60-day period. That period begins when the employer serves written notice that must contain certain specific information regarding the closing or layoff to both the affected employees (or, if applicable, the employee’s bargaining representative) and the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD). The information required in the notice is the same...
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