What You Need to Know:

1. Washington’s new mini-WARN Act applies to smaller employers with 50 or more full-time employees unlike the federal WARN Act which only applies to employers with 100 or more employees.
2. The new mini-WARN Act includes a private right of action and penalties for affected employees against employers who violate the requirements.
3. In addition to applying to smaller employers, the mini-WARN Act has broader notice requirements in comparison to the federal WARN Act and excludes specific employees from being part of mass layoffs.

On July 27, 2025, Washington State implemented its own version of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, officially titled the Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act, commonly referred to as a "mini-WARN Act." The mini-WARN Act is a state-level law that complements the federal WARN Act.

Washington joins thirteen other states (California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin) in implementing mini-WARN Acts. WARN Acts provide protections for employees facing layoffs or business closures.

Key Aspects of the Act

1. Notice Requirement: Under the mini-WARN Act, employers must provide at least 60 days' notice before a mass layoff or business closing (business closings can be permanent or temporary). This notice must be given to affected employees, the state, and local government officials and must contain...

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