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02/24/2026
Ohio's Mini-WARN Law Expands Advance Notice Rules for Mass Layoffs and Closures
Source: Fisher Phillips, February 23, 2026
As more layoffs are announced across the country, employers operating in Ohio must make sure they understand their obligations under the state’s “mini-WARN” law that just rolled out last fall. The new law expands employer requirements related to advance notices of mass layoffs and plant closings, while federal rules still set the floor. We’ll explain everything you need to know and offer four practical takeaways for your business.
Quick Background
Ohio’s long-anticipated mini-WARN Act took effect Sept. 29, making Ohio the fifteenth state to supplement the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (federal WARN Act) with state-level notice obligations. Although Ohio’s law incorporates much of the federal WARN framework, it also adds notice requirements and procedural nuances that employers must understand to navigate compliance effectively.
For more on the federal WARN Act, check out this recent FP insight: Warning! The Warn Act is More Complicated Than You Think: 4 Steps for Employers Facing Layoffs.
Key Points on Ohio WARN Requirements
Below we break down the new Ohio law and explain which provisions follow federal rules or add new requirements.
When It Applies and Who’s Covered
Broadly speaking, Ohio’s mini-WARN applies when a covered employer foresees a plant closing or mass layoff – just like under the federal WARN Act. Both laws require written notice at least 60 calendar days in advance of qualifying workforce reductions.
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