Continuing Education Credits:
- HRCI – 5 Business Credits
- SHRM – 5 PDC’s
Schedule: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Eastern Time
As layoffs, restructuring, and plant closings continue to ripple through nearly every industry, HR professionals must understand the full scope of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. This law requires covered employers to provide advance notice of significant workforce reductions — and failure to comply can result in severe financial penalties, reputational damage, and employee relations fallout.
In today’s uncertain economy, the WARN Act is no longer a law HR professionals should know — it’s one they must master. This 5-hour certificate program offers a deep dive into the federal WARN Act and state mini-WARN laws, equipping participants with the knowledge to make legally sound, compassionate, and strategic layoff decisions. Participants will learn to assess WARN applicability, calculate notice periods, identify affected employees, draft compliant notices, and develop internal policies that minimize risk.
With step-by-step guidance, case analysis, and practical examples, this program bridges the gap between legal compliance and human impact — ensuring organizations handle reductions in force with integrity, transparency, and full compliance with federal and state mandates.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this 5-hour training, participants will be able to:
- Interpret and apply the federal WARN Act and its implementing regulations.
- Identify covered employers, affected employees, and qualifying events.
- Calculate the 60-day notice period and determine timing obligations.
- Differentiate between “plant closing,” “mass layoff,” and “employment loss.”
- Recognize exemptions, including unforeseeable business circumstances and natural disasters.
- Understand the intersection of WARN and state “mini-WARN” laws.
- Prepare and deliver compliant notices to employees, unions, and government agencies.
- Manage communication strategies during workforce reductions.
- Avoid costly penalties and lawsuits through proper planning and documentation.
Target Audience
This program is essential for:
- HR Managers, HR Directors, and HR Business Partners
- Labor and Employee Relations Professionals
- Legal and Compliance Officers
- Business Owners, Executives, and Operations Leaders
- Consultants and HR Practitioners involved in RIF planning or workforce restructuring
Topics Covered
- Purpose and intent of the WARN Act
- Legislative background and DOL enforcement
- Defining “employer” under WARN
- Who is an “affected employee”
- The meaning of “employment loss”
- Definition of “plant closing”
- Definition of “mass layoff”
- Coverage thresholds for employers
- Counting part-time and temporary employees
- Determining “single site of employment”
- Aggregation of layoffs within a 90-day period
- Calculating the 60-day notice period
- Who must receive notice
- Required content of notices
- Methods of notice delivery
- WARN coverage for remote and hybrid employees
- Unionized workforces and WARN obligations
- Exceptions to WARN: faltering company
- Exceptions to WARN: unforeseeable business circumstances
- Exceptions to WARN: natural disasters
- Temporary projects and seasonal operations exceptions
- Coordination between federal WARN and state laws
- Overview of mini-WARN laws in key states (CA, NJ, NY, IL, MA, etc.)
- State-specific differences and stricter notice timelines
- Employer obligations during mergers, acquisitions, and sales
- WARN implications for contractors and staffing agencies
- Severance pay and WARN back pay distinctions
- Handling WARN in remote or multi-site closures
- Recordkeeping and compliance documentation
- Coordination with unemployment and outplacement programs
- Communication and employee relations best practices
- Media and public relations considerations during layoffs
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Case studies and real-world examples
- Sample notice templates and compliance checklists
- Understanding enforcement and penalty structures
- Civil liability and back pay calculations
- DOL interpretations and recent case law updates
- Best practices for proactive WARN compliance
- Building an internal WARN Act policy for your organization
