What is the primary purpose of the WARN Act?

The primary purpose of the WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) is to require employers to provide advance notice of mass layoffs or plant closings to their employees, as well as the state and local government. This legislation was enacted to help workers prepare for the loss of their jobs by providing them with information about upcoming layoffs with sufficient lead time, ideally giving them the opportunity to seek new employment or make necessary arrangements.

While fair wages, benefits, and the rights of staffing firms are important topics within employment law, they are not the primary focus of the WARN Act. The act specifically targets the notification process regarding significant workforce reductions, ensuring that employees are not caught off guard and can make informed decisions about their futures. Therefore, the correct understanding of the WARN Act centers on its role in protecting workers from sudden job loss without warning.