How many days of notice does Washington require?

60 days is the longest notice period the state's law sets for the employer's notice. The federal Act requires 60 days, and the federal rule applies in every state.

Washington WARN Act: who is covered and how much notice

Washington has its own layoff notice law on top of the federal WARN Act. This is what it says, read from the state’s own pages as of 2026-10-27, with the sources.

The rule

Since July 27, 2025, an employer of 50 or more employees in Washington may not order a business closing or a mass layoff of 50 or more employees in a 30-day period until 60 days after written notice to the Employment Security Department and to the affected employees or their representative. The penalty is up to $500 a day, avoidable by paying each employee within three weeks.

How it differs from the federal rule

Lower employer size (50), and the notice to the state must include each affected employee’s address.

Check: A second Washington bill (HB 1313) proposed a state WARN Act with extra requirements; whether it passed was not confirmed.

This is general information, not legal advice. The federal WARN Act applies in every state as well; see the WARN Act in plain language.

Sources

Washington Employment Security Department, "Washington state expands federal WARN Act requirements and penalties"

Washington WARN Act questions

Does Washington have its own WARN Act?: Yes. Since July 27, 2025, an employer of 50 or more employees in Washington may not order a business closing or a mass layoff of 50 or more employees in a 30-day period until 60 days after written notice to the Employment Security Department and to the affected employees or their representative. The penalty is up to $500 a day, avoidable by paying each employee within three weeks.
How is Washington's rule different from the federal WARN Act?: Lower employer size (50), and the notice to the state must include each affected employee’s address.
How many days of notice does Washington require?: 60 days is the longest notice period the state's law sets for the employer's notice. The federal Act requires 60 days, and the federal rule applies in every state.

Using this

Employers: draft the WARN notices and see the Washington deadline and check whether notice is likely required.
Workers: Washington layoff notices on file and Washington unemployment benefits and how to file.
Layoffs in 2026, by month, state and company.

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