Key thresholds
Employer minimum
75employees
↓ Lower than federal (100)
Notice required
60days
Same as federal
Employee threshold
50+
Look-back window
90days
Rolling aggregation period
Key nuances for California
No workforce percentage threshold; covers all employees including part-time. No faltering company exception under Cal-WARN (Labor Code § 1402.5). 50-in-30-days defines a single mass-layoff event, but staggered rounds aggregate over a 90-day anti-circumvention look-back.
How California differs from federal WARN
| Factor | Federal WARN | CA |
|---|---|---|
| Employer minimum | 100+ employees | 75+ employees |
| Notice required | 60 days | 60 days |
| Employee threshold | 50+ AND 33%, or 500+ | 50+ |
| Covers part-time | No (20+ hrs/wk only) | Yes — all part-time included |
| Mandatory severance | No | No |
| Safe harbors | Faltering company, Unforeseeable business circumstances, Natural disaster | Unforeseeable business circumstances, Natural disaster |
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change — always verify with qualified employment counsel before a reduction in force.
People Plan
Automate WARN compliance for your next RIF
People Plan checks federal and all state thresholds as you build your selection, flags obligations before you finalize, and generates compliant notice letters — including California.