Pre-Layoff Services

Rapid Response Services for Employers

Department of Workforce Services offers many resources that can assist your company. Rapid Response is designed to respond to layoffs and plant closings by providing immediate aid to companies and their affected workers. Rapid Response will work with employers to minimize the disruptions on companies and their affected workers when faced with job loss. Contact the State Dislocated Worker Unit for more information.

Department of Workforce Services
State Dislocated Worker Unit
Dawn Lay, 5th Floor
140 E. 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Email: dlay@utah.gov
Phone: (801) 526-4312
Fax: (801) 526-9662

Benefits to Employers

Providing Rapid Response services to your workers during layoffs or plant closings will result in multiple benefits, the more quickly Rapid Response is implemented, the better off your company and workers will be. Providing Rapid Response to your workers will help assure:

• Higher productivity and worker moral
• Lower unemployment insurance costs
• Decreased likelihood of sabotage or work disruptions
• Media and rumor management. The Rapid Response team understands the often-confidential nature of layoffs, and will work with the company to ensure confidentiality at all times
• Better public relations and community image

Benefits to Your Workers

The decision to lay off workers is one no employer wants to make. However, as layoffs do occur, inviting Rapid Response to meet with affected workers prior to layoff will allow your employees to assess services and programs that will help them through this difficult time. Rapid Response offers free, preferably on-site, seminars to provide your employees with information and services, including:

• Services available through Department of Workforces Services - DWS Offices Locations (pdf)
• Job search assistance, and how to use jobs.utah.gov - Quick Start to Register with DWS (pdf)
• Resume preparation and interviewing skills
• Labor market information
• Unemployment Insurance - Printable Flyer (pdf)
• Training opportunities
• Health Benefits - Cobra and other State Health Insurance Options, Protecting your 401K

Trade-Related Layoffs and Plant Closings

The federal Government provides additional services to workers whose jobs are lost due to foreign trade or shifts in production out of the United States. While not all job loss due to foreign competition meets the requirements of the Trade Act, the Rapid Response team will work with your company to provide information on Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and the benefits you can receive if your company is certified as trade-affected. Your company, the Rapid Response team, or the workers themselves can file a trade petition with the United States Department of Labor. TAA and its benefits are provided at not cost to your as an employer and allow your workers to access an even wider array of services than they would otherwise be eligible for; ask your Rapid Response contact for more information on TAA and the petition process.

Meeting Government Reporting Requirements

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. Besides WARN, Utah does not have additional State plant closing laws. If you are facing the prospect of a layoff, by contacting the State Dislocated Worker Unit, an array of employer services can be made available at no cost, to assist your workers with their re-employment efforts.
Providing advance notice gives workers time to adjust to the impending job loss, find a new job, and if necessary, receive skills training in order to compete in the job market. It also gives us time to provide workers with information about job search and training services before the job separation occurs.
If you employ 100 or more full-time workers, you may be liable under the WARN Act. The layoff or closure information you provide will be kept in strict confidence and should be submitted to:

Department of Workforce Services
State Dislocated Worker Unit
Dawn Lay, 5th Floor
130 E. 400 S.
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Email: dlay@utah.gov
Phone: (801) 526-4312
Fax: (801) 529-9662

The WARN Act

• The WARN Act -- Advance Notice of Closing and Layoffs
• Purpose & Scope of WARN
• Who Is Covered under WARN
• What Triggers WARN
• What WARN Requires
• Notification Period
• Who Receives Notice under WARN
• Content of WARN Notice
• State & Local Government on the Net

Planning for and Avoiding Future Layoffs

Find below some links to organizations that offer other services that may help avert or minimize layoffs.

• State Division of Economic Development helps existing businesses expand and assists local development efforts.
• U.S. Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved living standards by working in partnerships with business, universities, communities and workers to ensure sustainable economic growth.
• 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.
• If you are located in a Rural Area, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service may assist you.

Other Resources

• Closing a Business
• Utah Labor Commission FAQ's