“WARN”ing for Garden State Employers: New Rules for Reduction in Force
On February 28, 2020 by Schnader in NewsMichael J. Wietrzychowski, partner and co-chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment Practices Group, and Brian M. Wallen, an associate in the firm’s Litigation Services Department, published a new client alert, “WARNing for Garden State Employers: New Rules for Reductions in Force.” It reads in part:
New Jersey continued its march to becoming one of the most employee-friendly jurisdictions in the country upon Governor Phil Murphy signing Senate Bill 3170, amending New Jersey’s mini-WARN statute (the Millville Dallas Airmotive Plant Job Loss Notification Act). The highlights of the new law include: a change in the definition of employer; mandatory severance for employees impacted by a mass layoff or closing; part-time employees being included for purposes of triggering notice obligations; extending the notice period for affected workers; and specific protections for employees of businesses which undergo a change in control. The changes will be effective on July 19, 2020 and represent a drastic shift in state requirements. These changes also go far beyond what is required under federal law.