Washington State Enacts New Layoff-Notification Requirements Next Month
Effective July 27, 2025, employers with employees in Washington State will be bound by new mini-WARN Act requirements. This legislative term, Washington signed SB 5525, known as the “Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act”.
Under the new law, employers of 50 or more employees in the state must adhere to certain requirements for “business closings” or “mass layoffs” similar to those of the federal WARN Act: employers must provide 60 days’ advance written notice to:
- affected employees prior to adverse employment action, and
- the Washington Employment Security Department.
Notably, the Washington law differs from the federal WARN Act in that, subject to certain exceptions, employers may not terminate employees currently on Washington Paid Family or Medical Leave in a mass layoff scenario.
Significant additional nuance exists under the new Washington law, including with respect to furloughs, business unit or department transfers, and business sales. In the sale-of-business context, a seller must provide notice to the recipients up to and on the effective date of the sale, and the buyer must provide notice of any actions thereafter.
In addition to back and benefits for each day of the violation, up to 60 days, the new mini-WARN statute imposes civil penalties and rights of action for aggrieved employees and the Washington Employment Security Department. As such, it is critical that employers in Washington State understand their obligations if they are considering mergers, acquisitions, or workforce reductions in the state.
D+G continues to monitor these developments in advance of the law’s effectiveness.