WARNs
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act (WARN) Information for Employers
California WARN Act
What is a WARN?
A WARN is a layoff notice from an employer. These notices provide protection to employees, their families and their communities by requiring 60 days’ notice of layoffs or plant closings, giving employees time to look for other work, file for unemployment or take care of other items that could be affected by their employment status. The Act is applicable to employers that employ, or have employed in the preceding 12 months, 75 or more full-time or part-time workers.
When does an employer need to file a WARN?
In California, employers must file a WARN if there are any plant closures or layoffs that impact 50 or more workers within a 30-day period, regardless of the size of the company as a whole. Notification of layoffs and plant closures must occur at least 60 days in advance, or be subject to fines and worker compensation. Visit the Employment Development Department (EDD) WARN website for more detailed information regarding WARNs and a FAQ page for answers to common questions.
Employers should review both the Federal WARN law and the California WARN law for a full understanding of notification requirements.
How does an employer file a WARN?
An employer must first notify employees of the upcoming layoff at least 60 days in advance of the layoff. Then, the employer must submit a WARN to the local Workforce Development Board, local elected officials (chief elected officials of the city and county governments in which the employer is located) and EDD.
If a layoff is occurring in San Diego County, an employer must provide notice to the San Diego Workforce Partnership, which is the local Workforce Development Board for the region. Notification or questions can be sent to the Workforce Partnership’s Business Services team at warns@workforce.org.
Who do employers send the California WARN Act Notices to?
- To Employees – the required notice should be sent via any reasonable method of delivery that ensures receipt by the affected employee (e.g., first class mail, personal delivery, email, etc.) no less than 60 days prior to a mass layoff or plant closure
- To the EDD – the required notice should be emailed to eddwarnnotice@edd.ca.gov, and the email should include the following information:
- The notice (as an attachment or within the body of the email)
- Contact information for an employer representative in the event the EDD needs more information
- To the Local Workforce Development Board – In San Diego, the required notice should be sent to the San Diego Workforce Partnership, c/o Tony Young, Interim President and CEO, by emailing warns@workforce.org or by mailing it to:
Tony Young, Interim President and CEO
San Diego Workforce Partnership
9246 Lightwave Ave., Suite 210
San Diego, CA 92123
- To Chief Elected Officials including:
- Mayor of the city where the layoff is taking place. If layoff impacts workplaces in multiple cities, include the mayor for each city where layoffs are taking place.
- District supervisor(s) for the district(s) where the layoff is taking place. Click here to find your district in San Diego.
What must be included in a WARN?
The contents of a WARN must include the following:
- Name of business and address of affected employment site
- Name, phone number and email of company official to contact for more information
- Whether the layoff/closure will be permanent or temporary
- The expected separation date and anticipated schedule of subsequent separations
- Job titles of affected workers, and the number of affected workers in each classification
- Whether bumping rights exist
- The name/contact information of union representation/union official (if applicable)
- For multiple affected locations, a breakdown of the number of affected workers and their job titles by each location
Click here to view a sample WARN notice.
If you are requesting a copy of a WARN under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Request for Records, please click the button below.