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Dislocated Workers: Worker Adjustment And Retraining Notification Act Not Meeting Its Goals

HRD-93-18 Published: Feb 23, 1993. Publicly Released: Feb 23, 1993.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement and congressional requests, GAO provided information on the implementation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), focusing on: (1) the number of closures and layoffs that were subject to WARN provisions; (2) whether employers are providing advance notice as required; (3) WARN implementation and enforcement difficulties; and (4) employer and employee views on the impact of WARN notices.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
Given the large number of closures and layoffs for which employers did not provide advance notice even when the event appeared to meet the WARN criteria, Congress may wish to consider giving the Department of Labor the specific responsibility and authority for enforcing the law's provisions.
Closed – Not Implemented
Congress has not acted on this 1993 recommendation.

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Topics

Employee dismissalstate relationsStaff utilizationLabor relationsLabor forceLabor legislationPersonnel managementReductions in forceDislocated workersPublic officials