Dislocated Workers:
Worker Adjustment And Retraining Notification Act Not Meeting Its Goals
HRD-93-18: Published: Feb 23, 1993. Publicly Released: Feb 23, 1993.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 512-7002
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
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.
GAO found that: (1) employers were more likely to give their employees the required 60-day notice of plant closures or layoffs after enactment of WARN; (2) 64 percent of the major layoffs were exempt from WARN notice requirements because they did not affect at least one-third of the workforce; (3) many employers failed to adequately provide workers with advance closure or layoff notices or filed WARN notices late; and (4) some employers did not include the necessary notice information required by the Department of Labor (DOL); (5) although there was evidence of WARN violations, workers have filed few lawsuits because of the added cost, limited incentives, and uncertain outcomes; (6) although DOL and state dislocation agencies have attempted to clarify any confusion regarding WARN implementation regulations, many employers remain confused or unaware about the application of WARN provisions; and (7) WARN advance notices have enabled workers to find new jobs sooner and plan for impending layoffs, and did not significantly increase employers' costs or decrease worker productivity.
Matter for Congressional Consideration
Status: Closed - Not Implemented
Comments: Congress has not acted on this 1993 recommendation.
Matter: 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.
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
»
Feb 18, 2021
-
Workplace Safety and Health:
Actions Needed to Improve Reporting of Summary Injury and Illness DataGAO-21-122: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 18, 2021.
Jan 27, 2021
-
Military Spouse Employment:
DOD Should Continue Assessing State Licensing Practices and Increase Awareness of ResourcesGAO-21-193: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2021.
Oct 19, 2020
-
Fair Labor Standards Act:
Observations on the Effects of the Home Care RuleGAO-21-72: Published: Oct 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 19, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
-
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act:
Additional DOL Actions Needed to Help States and Employers Address Substance Use DisorderGAO-20-337: Published: May 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
Apr 14, 2020
-
Job Corps:
DOL Should Provide Greater Transparency in Communicating Its Rationale for Closure DecisionsGAO-20-240R: Published: Apr 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 14, 2020.
Feb 14, 2020
-
National Mediation Board:
Additional Actions Needed to Fully Implement Prior GAO Recommendations and Improve Agency Management and OversightGAO-20-236: Published: Feb 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 14, 2020.
Feb 10, 2020
-
National Weather Service:
Information on Contractor Selection and Work Performed for Its Operations and Workforce Analysis ProjectGAO-20-271R: Published: Jan 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 10, 2020.
Sep 9, 2019
-
Job Corps:
Actions Needed to Improve Planning for Center Operation ContractsGAO-19-326: Published: Aug 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
-
Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of LaborGAO-19-395SP: Published: Apr 3, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Apr 9, 2019
-
Military Spouse Employment:
Participation in and Efforts to Promote the My Career Advancement Account ProgramGAO-19-320R: Published: Apr 9, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 9, 2019.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here