Considering a layoff? Need to comply with governmental regulations? Need to find assistance for yourself and your workers?
There is help available...
Even in our robust economy, layoffs, downsizing and restructuring
continue to occur as businesses adjust to this tremendous growth.
America's workforce development system provides assistance to
both employers and workers to manage this change and lessen the
impact on workers and communities. Services within your State
and local area will assist you in transitioning your workers.
Contact your State
Dislocated Worker Unit to find more information on Rapid Response
services and governmental requirements.
Services to assist you through a layoff
If you are laying off workers or anticipating a business closure
or mass layoff, Rapid
Response services can help employers meet their business needs
while recognizing the needs of their workers and communities.
You will find information on how to help you workers adjust to
this change. Rapid
Response assistance can help you keep productivity high, costs
low, and maintain a positive work environment for your workers.
If you are laying off workers due to direct or indirect import
competition or because you shifted production outside this country,
individualized assistance may be available to you to help your
workers under the Trade
Adjustment Assistance program. As an employer, you may file
a TAA petition on behalf of your workers. This assistance
is at no cost to you.
Workforce Adjustment Committees have proven to be an effective
tool in managing a layoff event. Your State DWU may be able to
provide financial or technical assist to you in establishing one.
Learn more
about workforce adjustment committees.
Services to help plan for and avoid future layoffs
State incumbent worker training programs may be available to
help you upgrade your workers' skills. Your State
Division of Economic Development helps existing businesses
expand and assists local development efforts. The U.S.
Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth,
sustainable development and improved living standards by working
in partnership with business, universities, communities and workers
to ensure sustainable economic opportunities. UI
Short-Time Compensation (STC) may be available for employees
to work shorter hours instead of being laid off and be compensated
for their lost work time with partial unemployment benefits.
Manufacturing
Extension Partnerships are a nationwide network of not-for-profit
centers in over 400 locations nationwide, whose sole purpose is
to provide small and medium-sized manufacturers with the help
they need to succeed.
Consider selling your business to a buyer, several buyers, a
management group or employees.
Under certain conditions, the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires
employers to give their workers 60 days notice before a plant
closing or mass layoff. All employers are encouraged to provide
notice to the State
Dislocated Worker Unit as quickly as possible. Some States
also have plant closure laws, and those state laws may be different.
If you are an employer facing the prospect of a layoff, contact
your State Dislocated Worker Unit immediately to find out more
information on notice requirements in your area.
Rights and responsibilities under employment laws and regulations
Elaws Advisors help you
understand your rights and responsibilities under the employment
laws and regulations, such as the WARN Act, administered by the
Department of Labor (DOL). Each Advisor imitates the interaction
you might have with a DOL employment law expert--it asks questions
and provides answers based on your responses.