The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act helps ensure advance notice in cases of qualified plant closings and mass layoffs. The U.S. Department of Labor has compliance assistance materials to help workers and employers understand their rights and responsibilities under the provisions of WARN.

 

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions that the Department of Labor has received from employers and employees during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic regarding their responsibilities and protections under the WARN Act. ​

Informative

Worker's Guide

This guide provides a brief overview of the WARN Act provisions and answers to frequently asked questions about employee rights. It is not an official interpretation of the WARN Act or the regulations at 20 CFR Part 639.

Employer's Guide

This guide provides a brief overview of the WARN Act provisions and answers to frequently asked questions about employer responsibilities and requirements. It is not an official interpretation of the WARN Act or the regulations at 20 CFR Part 639.

Guía para el Trabajadores (Worker's Guide in Spanish)

Esta guía proporciona una breve descripción general de las disposiciones de la ley WARN y las respuestas a las preguntas más frecuentes sobre derechos de los trabajadores. No se trata de una interpretación oficial de la ley WARN o los reglamentos en 20 CFR Part 639.

WARN elaws Advisor

This Advisor is an interactive tool that helps employers and workers understand the requirements of WARN.

WARN Act Provisions for Natural Disasters

This fact sheet explains the exceptions to providing advance notice when dislocations occur due to natural disasters. Employers should be aware that the U.S. Federal Court solely enforces the Act and these answers are not binding on the courts.

Law and Regulations

For all WARN questions or for more information contact:

Office of Policy Development and Research; Division of Policy, Legislation, and Regulations
Employment and Training Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave NW
Room N-5641
Washington, DC 20210
202-693-3079
Email: warn.inquiries@dol.gov