Avoid permanently losing employees
If you need to temporarily lay off some or all your employees, you have options to avoid losing them.
SharedWork
The SharedWork program allows you to reduce your employees' hours by up to 50%. Your workers collect unemployment benefits to replace part of their lost wages.
Standby
Your employees may qualify for standby if they have been temporarily laid off or will start a new job soon. We waive their job search requirements while they get unemployment benefits for up to 8 weeks in a claim year. Learn more on the temporary layoffs and furloughs page.
Partial unemployment
If your employees are partially unemployed or furloughed for up to 4 months, they may apply for unemployment benefits. Also, they will not have to meet the job search requirements. Learn more on the temporary layoffs and furloughs page.
Permanent layoffs
If you have a planned layoff, there are resources to educate and assist your employees.
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice (WARN)
If you are permanently closing or laying off a majority of your employees, file a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice (WARN). This provides workers 60 days' advance notice of a plant closing or mass layoff. You need to file a WARN if you have 100 or more full-time employees.
WorkSource
We are a partner in the statewide WorkSource system. WorkSource will coordinate a team of local experts who can assist your employees. They can connect them with job training and career coaching, and help them find their next job.
Unemployment benefits
Unemployment benefits help when your employees lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The temporary income partly replaces their lost earnings. It can help them pay expenses while looking for new work.
Dislocated Worker Program
In the event of a major layoff or plant closure, employees may be able to get help finding a job or retraining with the Dislocated Worker Program.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
TAA provides support to laid-off workers and downsizing businesses. It applies when jobs leave the U.S. and foreign products or services make it hard to compete. Read about services available to workers who qualify for TAA.
Training Benefits (TB) program
The Training Benefits program offers extra weeks of benefits while claimants train for careers in high-demand fields.
Health care
If your employees lose their health coverage, they may be eligible for plans on Washington Healthplanfinder.