Washington’s “Mini WARN Act”

Washington State recently passed a bill introducing new notification requirements for mass layoffs and business closures, offering workers greater financial security through more robust notice of impending terminations. Effective July 27, 2025, Washington’s "mini-WARN Act" revises the federal WARN Act by lowering the employee threshold for “mass layoffs” and “business closures” and requiring additional details in termination notices.

Under Washington’s new law, employers must provide 60 days' notice for layoffs or closures affecting 50 or more full-time employees within the state. This threshold is lower than the federal requirement, which applies only when 50 or more employees are affected at a single worksite. Washington’s law also extends coverage to businesses with 50 or more employees, compared to the federal law’s 100-employee minimum. Additionally, the law mandates that termination notices include job titles and names of affected employees, alongside federal requirements like job separation dates and employer contact information. These enhancements to Washington workers’ rights improve protections and ensure greater transparency during workforce changes, leading to greater financial security for Washington workers.