California Relaxes Layoff Notice Rules During COVID-19 Outbreak

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has loosened requirements for employers to give workers notice before laying them off in large numbers, as part of an executive order aimed at containing the economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak. However, Matthew Korn told Law360 that it wasn’t totally accurate to deem Newsom’s executive order a “suspension” of the state’s WARN Act.

Matthew said: “Employers are still required to provide notice to employees and various government entities ‘as soon as practicable’ and provide the ‘basis for reducing the notification period,’ among other requirements. Additionally, California employers with 100 employees are also subject to the federal WARN Act and should ensure that notices are compliant with both federal and state law.”

To read the full article, visit Law360 (subscription required).