What is Cal-WARN?
Cal-WARN refers to a state law, passed in 2002, requiring employers to give 60 days written notice of mass layoffs (50 or more persons), relocation, or termination of employees. The notice must be provided to affected employees, the Employment Development Department, the local workforce investment board, and the chief elected official of each city and county affected. Employers who fail to provide the notice may be liable for back pay, benefits, penalties, attorneys’ fees and court costs. It is called Cal-WARN because it is California’s version of a federal law, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days notice of a layoff involving 50 or more employees. The Cal-WARN Act extends the requirement to businesses with 75 or more employees.
Cal-WARN refers to a state law, passed in 2002, requiring employers to give 60 days written notice of mass layoffs (50 or more persons), relocation, or termination of employees. The notice must be provided to affected employees, the Employment Development Department, the local workforce investment board, and the chief elected official of each city and county affected. Employers who fail to provide the notice may be liable for back pay, benefits, penalties, attorneys’ fees and court costs. It is called Cal-WARN because it is California’s version of a federal law, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide 60 days notice of a layoff involving 50 or more employees. The Cal-WARN Act extends the requirement to businesses with 75 or more employees.
