Cal-WARN: written notice at least 60 days before a mass layoff, relocation, or termination order takes effect
60 days before date the mass layoff, relocation, or termination order takes effect, under Cal. Lab. Code 1401(a) (amended by Stats. 2025, ch. 229 (SB 617), eff. Jan. 1, 2026).
Rule text
(a) An employer may not order a mass layoff, relocation, or termination at a covered establishment unless, 60 days before the order takes effect, the employer gives written notice of the order to the following:(1) The employees of the covered establishment affected by the order.(2) The Employment Development Department, the local workforce development board, and the chief elected official of each city and county government within which the termination, relocation, or mass layoff occurs.
Calculate this deadline
Deadline
Friday, September 4, 2026
- Trigger (Date the mass layoff, relocation, or termination order takes effect): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Count back 60 calendar days: Monday, September 7, 2026.
- That day is a Labor Day. Counting backward, this calculator uses the earlier court day so the full notice period is preserved: Friday, September 4, 2026 (see Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12c).
Rules applied
Cal. Lab. Code 1401(a) (amended by Stats. 2025, ch. 229 (SB 617), eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
(a) An employer may not order a mass layoff, relocation, or termination at a covered establishment unless, 60 days before the order takes effect, the employer gives written notice of the order to the following:(1) The employees of the covered establishment affected by the order.(2) The Employment Development Department, the local workforce development board, and the chief elected official of each city and county government within which the termination, relocation, or mass layoff occurs.Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b; Cal. Gov. Code 6800, 6707 (state agency filings); Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a) (federal statutes and federal court filings)
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." Gov. Code 6707: "When the last day for filing any instrument or other document with a state agency falls upon a Saturday or holiday, such act may be performed upon the next business day with the same effect as if it had been performed upon the day appointed." FRCP 6(a): "The following rules apply in computing any time period specified in these rules, in any local rule or court order, or in any statute that does not specify a method of computing time. (1) ... (A) exclude the day of the event that triggers the period; (B) count every day, including intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; and (C) include the last day of the period, but if the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday."Official source
- Counting backward from a hearing or trial, when the day lands on a weekend or holiday we use the earlier court day. The rules do not state the direction expressly; confirm with the court.
- Last day to give notice, counted backward from the effective date; a last day on a weekend or holiday moves EARLIER (conservative). Notice content requirements added by SB 617 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026) in 1401(b)-(e) (e.g., whether the employer will coordinate services, CalFresh information). Exception for physical calamity or act of war (1401(f) or as numbered). Federal WARN (29 U.S.C. 2102) has its own 60-day rule, not modeled here.
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date the mass layoff, relocation, or termination order takes effect on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Thursday, January 14, 2027.
- Trigger (Date the mass layoff, relocation, or termination order takes effect): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Count back 60 calendar days: Thursday, January 14, 2027.
Notes
Last day to give notice, counted backward from the effective date; a last day on a weekend or holiday moves EARLIER (conservative). Notice content requirements added by SB 617 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026) in 1401(b)-(e) (e.g., whether the employer will coordinate services, CalFresh information). Exception for physical calamity or act of war (1401(f) or as numbered). Federal WARN (29 U.S.C. 2102) has its own 60-day rule, not modeled here.
Related deadlines
- FEHA employment complaint: file with the Civil Rights Department (3 years) (36 months after)
- FEHA complaint: extension to 1 year after the aggrieved person turns 18 (12 months after)
- FEHA civil action: file within 1 year of the CRD right-to-sue notice (12 months after)
- CRD 150-day mark: right-to-sue notice available on request if CRD has not sued (150 days after)
- CRD must issue right-to-sue notice no later than 1 year after complaint (12 months after)
- CRD's own civil action (individual complaint): within 1 year after complaint filed (12 months after)
- CRD's own civil action on group/class or Ralph Act complaint: within 2 years (24 months after)
- EEOC charge (Title VII): 300 days in a deferral state such as California (300 days after)
Rules current as of 2026-10-27. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.