WARN notices and layoff law in Massachusetts
The federal WARN Act gives most workers at companies with 100 or more employees 60 days' written notice before a mass layoff. Massachusetts adds its own protection: Massachusetts has its own state WARN/plant-closing requirement (administered by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development / MassHire) covering employers with 50+ employees, broader than the federal WARN Act's 100-employee threshold. You can see mass layoffs reported in Massachusetts on the state's official WARN list at www.mass.gov.
Massachusetts layoff notice, at a glance
Federal WARN
100+ employees, 60 days' written notice
Massachusetts state law
Yes, stricter than federal (see below)
Public notice list
Yes, at www.mass.gov
If notice is skipped
Back pay + benefits for the missing days, up to 60
Massachusetts has its own state WARN/plant-closing requirement (administered by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development / MassHire) covering employers with 50+ employees, broader than the federal WARN Act's 100-employee threshold.
If your employer skipped required WARN notice, you may be owed back pay and benefits for the missing days, up to 60. There are narrow exceptions (genuinely unforeseen circumstances, disasters), and most layoffs don't qualify.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you think you were owed notice, an employment attorney can tell you whether you have a claim, often with a free first consultation.
Massachusetts WARN FAQ
How much notice must an employer give before a layoff in Massachusetts?
The federal WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more employees to give 60 calendar days' written notice before a mass layoff or plant closing. Massachusetts also has its own law: Massachusetts has its own state WARN/plant-closing requirement (administered by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development / MassHire) covering employers with 50+ employees, broader than the federal WARN Act's 100-employee threshold. If they skip required notice, they can owe back pay and benefits for the missing days.
Where can I see WARN notices filed in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts publishes filed WARN notices on its official state workforce site at www.mass.gov. It lists employers, locations, and dates of reported mass layoffs and closings.
Does Massachusetts have its own layoff-notice law beyond federal WARN?
Yes. Massachusetts has its own state WARN/plant-closing requirement (administered by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development / MassHire) covering employers with 50+ employees, broader than the federal WARN Act's 100-employee threshold. This is general information, not legal advice; if you think you were owed notice, confirm the details with the state or an employment attorney.
Keep going
The full WARN guide
How the 60-day rule works, who's covered, and what you're owed if it's violated.
File for unemployment in Massachusetts
The official Massachusetts portal, the waiting week, and what to have ready.
WARN in another state
The official notice list and layoff law for every other state.
Reviewed June 2026. WARN rules and state laws change; confirm the current details on the official Massachusetts site (www.mass.gov) or with an employment attorney before relying on them.