What happened?

On May 13, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed the Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act (WA WARN). This bill requires employers to give 60 days’ advance notice to employees, unions, and the state for certain mass layoffs and business closures.

Overview:

Effective July 27, 2025, Washington’s “Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act” (WA WARN) will require employers with 50 or more employees to give 60 days’ written notice before a business closure or mass layoff affecting more than 50 employees (excluding part-time workers and any layoff that is not resulting from business closures).

Who Must Receive Notice:

• The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD)
• Affected employees or their union representatives.

What the Notice Must Include:

• Name and address of the affected site.
• Contact info for a company official
• Whether the closure or layoff is permanent or temporary
• Expected start date and schedule of job losses.
• Job titles and names of affected employees
• Whether the action involves relocation or outsourcing

When Notice Is Not Required:

• The employer is actively seeking capital or business, and the notice would jeopardize the effort.
• The closure or layoff is caused by unforeseeable business circumstances or a natural disaster.
• The layoff is tied to the completion of a construction or multiemployer construction project.

Special Protections:

• Employees on Washington State Paid Family or Medical Leave cannot be included in a mass layoff unless an exception applies.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

• Up to 60 days of backpay and benefits for each affected employee
• Civil penalties of up to $500 per day unless full compensation is paid within three weeks.
• Employees, unions, or the ESD may file lawsuits within three years.

For additional information, please consult the Washington Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-off Employees Act

Source References

• WA SB 5525 – Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-off Employees Act

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