Washington is the latest state to enact a “mini-WARN Act” that will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to provide at least 60 days’ notice to the state as well as any union or employees affected by a business site closing or mass reduction in force.
On April 27, the Washington state Legislature delivered Senate Bill 5525 to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk for signature. Ferguson signed the bill into law on May 13. The bill, titled the “Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act,” will provide employee protections in the context of business closings and mass reductions in force (RIF), similar to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
The legislation will require most covered employers to provide notice and information beyond what is required by the WARN Act before closing a business location or undertaking a “mass layoff” and protect employees from being included in a reduction in force while they are taking Washington’s paid family or medical leave. The bill will also grant the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD), aggrieved employees, or the employees’ union bargaining representative a private right of action to enforce.
SB 5525 tracks the federal WARN Act and will prohibit employers with 50 or more full-time employees from ordering the closing of a business location or a mass layoff without providing written notice of such action to the ESD and the affected employees...
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