Washington WARN Notices

WARN Act rules in Washington

Washington has its own layoff notice law on top of the federal WARN Act, the Securing Timely Notification and Benefits for Laid-Off Employees Act. An employer has to satisfy both, so the stricter rule is the one that applies to you.

Notice required

60 days

Employers covered

50 or more employees in Washington, excluding part-time employees.

What triggers notice

A business closing causing employment loss for 50 or more non-part-time employees at a single site, or a mass layoff affecting 50 or more in any 30-day period.

Statute

Chapter 49.45 RCW

If an employer does not comply

Civil penalties of up to $500 per day of violation, plus back pay and benefits for up to 60 days, mitigable by paying employees within three weeks.

Administered by

Washington Employment Security Department

Source: Washington Employment Security Department. Checked 2026-08-10. Plain-language summary, not legal advice. State legislatures amend these rules; confirm the current text before relying on it.