Definition of Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification act (WARN)

federal law, effective February 4, 1989, that requires company notification of employees prior to laying them off or closing a plant or an office. Workers covered under WARN are to include office workers, field representatives, agents, managers, and any other employees of insurance companies. To be affected by WARN, the company must employ at least 100 full-time employees. Part-time employees are not included in the 100 full-time employees count unless the total hours worked per week by all employees is at least 4000 hours. WARN requires the company to notify its employees of impending layoffs when one or more of the following circumstances occur:

1. At least 500 employees are terminated or laid off during a 30-day period.
2. At least 50 employees are terminated or laid off, comprising at least 33% of the total employment force, during a 30-day period.
3. Aplant or an office is closed, whether on a temporary or permanent basis.