What is the minimum number of employees required for WARN to mandate advance notification of plant closings and mass layoffs?

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to provide advance notice of plant closings and mass layoffs to affected employees and their representatives, as well as to the state and local government. The correct minimum number of employees that triggers this requirement is 100.

The WARN Act is designed to provide workers and their families with some transition time to adjust to the imminent loss of employment, seek alternative work, and obtain necessary training for other jobs. The threshold of 100 employees is significant because it focuses on larger employers, ensuring that those who have a greater impact on the local economy and workforce provide adequate notice to their employees. This notice must be given at least 60 days in advance of the layoffs or closures.

In summary, the requirement for at least 100 employees to be affected by a plant closing or mass layoff is aimed at fostering job security and giving workers the essential time to prepare for the transition.