WARN requirements

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires companies planning a mass layoff to notify workers 60 days before the closure. Learn the steps you need to follow.

How to report a layoff

Companies must provide written notice to us and the chief elected official of the community where the layoff or closure will occur.

  1. Write a letter on company letterhead that includes:

    Contact information:

    • Company name.
    • Physical and mailing addresses of the layoff or closure.
    • Company representative name and phone number for rapid response services (local preferred).

    Layoff information:

    • Whether there is either a layoff or a closure.
    • Whether it will be temporary or permanent.
    • Expected layoff date and a schedule of any further employment reductions.

    Information about the affected employees:

    • Total number of employees this notice affects.
    • Job titles of positions and the number of affected employees in each job category.
    • Whether a union represents the affected employees.
      • If so, name of each union/employee representative and the name and address of the chief elected officer of each union.
      • A statement of bumping rights, if any exist.
    • Signature of company official including name and title.

  2. Email and mail the letter to our Grants Management Office

    Mail the letter to us at the following address:

    Employment Security Department
    Grants Management Office
    Attention: WARN Team
    P.O. Box 9046
    Olympia, WA 98507-9046

    Then, email us a copy of the letter at ESDGPWorkforceInitiatives@ESD.WA.GOV. Please include "WARN" in the subject line.

    We will contact the listed company representative to acknowledge we received the notification and provide this information to the local rapid response team.

  3. Send the letter to the chief elected official of the community where the layoff or closure will occur

    The chief elected official of a community can vary depending on location. It could be a mayor, council or county leader or someone else. The business determines who that contact is.

Additional mass layoff information