H.R. 2077:  Alert Laid off Employees in Reasonable Time Act

Introduced   April 23, 2009

Sponsor       Rep. Luis Gutierrez

Summary

The Alert Laid off Employees in Reasonable Time Act, introduced in the House of Representatives on April 23, 2009 by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, would amend the Workers’ Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act (“WARN”) by expanding WARN’s notification requirement.  Presently, an employer must provide 60 days’ notice of an impending mass layoff affecting either 500 employees or 33 percent of the workforce impacting at least 50 employees at one particular worksite.  The bill would require employers to provide 60 days’ notice of such mass layoffs that occur at more than one of the employer’s worksites.  The bill would also increase the penalties for employers that fail to give the required notice by providing for double back pay for each day of violation.

Current Status:  The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.