WARN notices and layoff law in Wisconsin
The federal WARN Act covers employers with 100 or more full-time employees. It requires 60 calendar days' written notice before a plant closing that costs 50 or more full-time workers their jobs at one site, or a mass layoff at one site within 30 days of either 500 or more full-time workers, or 50 to 499 who make up at least a third of that site's workforce. Wisconsin adds its own protection: Wisconsin's Business Closing and Mass Layoff Law (Wis. Stat. 109.07) covers employers with 50+ employees in the state and requires 60 days' written notice for a business closing or a mass layoff of 25+ employees (or 25% of the workforce, whichever is greater) / 500+ employees. You can see mass layoffs reported in Wisconsin on the state's official WARN list at dwd.wisconsin.gov.
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Wisconsin layoff notice, at a glance
Federal WARN
Employers of 100+; 60 days' notice before a plant closing (50+ jobs at a site) or a mass layoff (500+ at a site, or 50 to 499 who are at least a third of it)
Wisconsin state law
Yes, its own law on top of federal (see below)
Public notice list
Yes, at dwd.wisconsin.gov
If notice is skipped
Back pay + benefits for the missing days, up to 60
Wisconsin's Business Closing and Mass Layoff Law (Wis. Stat. 109.07) covers employers with 50+ employees in the state and requires 60 days' written notice for a business closing or a mass layoff of 25+ employees (or 25% of the workforce, whichever is greater) / 500+ employees.
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.
Wisconsin WARN FAQ
How much notice must an employer give before a layoff in Wisconsin?
The federal WARN Act covers employers with 100 or more full-time employees. It requires 60 calendar days' written notice before a plant closing that costs 50 or more full-time workers their jobs at one site, or a mass layoff at one site within 30 days of either 500 or more full-time workers, or 50 to 499 who make up at least a third of that site's workforce. Wisconsin also has its own law: Wisconsin's Business Closing and Mass Layoff Law (Wis. Stat. 109.07) covers employers with 50+ employees in the state and requires 60 days' written notice for a business closing or a mass layoff of 25+ employees (or 25% of the workforce, whichever is greater) / 500+ employees. If an employer skips required notice, it can owe back pay and benefits for the missing days.
Where can I see WARN notices filed in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin publishes filed WARN notices on its official state workforce site at dwd.wisconsin.gov. It lists employers, locations, and dates of reported mass layoffs and closings.
Does Wisconsin have its own layoff-notice law beyond federal WARN?
Yes. Wisconsin's Business Closing and Mass Layoff Law (Wis. Stat. 109.07) covers employers with 50+ employees in the state and requires 60 days' written notice for a business closing or a mass layoff of 25+ employees (or 25% of the workforce, whichever is greater) / 500+ employees. 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 Wisconsin
The official Wisconsin portal, the waiting week, and what to have ready.
Health coverage after a layoff in Wisconsin
Where to enroll in Wisconsin, your 60-day window, and the Medicaid rules.
WARN in another state
The official notice list and layoff law for every other state.
Reviewed September 2026, unchanged since September 2026. WARN rules and state laws change; confirm the current details on the official Wisconsin site (dwd.wisconsin.gov) or with an employment attorney before relying on them.