--- title: Are You an Employer Downsizing? Know the Law Requirements Before Taking Action description: Are you an employer and faced with the unpleasant decision to downsize? Make sure you know what is required by law before the actual downsizing occurs. --- [![Goosman Lawfirm](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Goosmannlaw%20October2017/images/Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png?width=1250&name=Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png "Goosman Lawfirm")](http://goosmannlaw.com/) - [COVID-19 Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - Our Team - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/attorneys/) - [Non-Attorney Staff](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/non-attorney-staff/) - Practices & Industries - [Practices](https://goosmannlaw.com/practices/) - [Banking & Finance](https://goosmannlaw.com/banking-finance/) - [Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts](https://goosmannlaw.com/bankruptcy-restructuring-workouts/) - [Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/business/) - [Divorce & Family Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/divorce-family-law/) - [Employment](https://goosmannlaw.com/employment-law/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-safety/) - 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Know the Law Requirements Before Taking Action](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side/are-you-an-employer-downsizing-know-the-law-requirements-before-taking-action) By [Goosmann Law Team](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side/author/goosmann-law-team)   |  10, July 2014 [READ NOW](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side/are-you-an-employer-downsizing-know-the-law-requirements-before-taking-action) [Read Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side/are-you-an-employer-downsizing-know-the-law-requirements-before-taking-action#article) [![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Logo1.jpg?width=60&name=Logo1.jpg)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side/author/goosmann-law-team) [Goosmann Law Team](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side/author/goosmann-law-team)  Tags: [Risk Management](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side/topic/risk-management) EMPLOYERS BEWARE: Not only is there a [Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act](http://www.doleta.gov/programs/factsht/warn.htm) (WARN) under federal law that applies when an employer is downsizing its workforce or closing facilities, state law may also impose obligations on employers in that state to follow that are more restrictive than the federal WARN Act otherwise requires. For instance, in the State of Iowa, the Layoff Notification Law is triggered involving companies with 25 or more employees versus 100 or more employees under the WARN Act. The length of prior notice under Iowa state law is 30 days - the WARN Act is 60 days. There are other differences. So, if you are an employer and faced with the unpleasant decision to downsize, make sure you know what is required by law before the actual downsizing occurs. Severe penalties can be imposed if the law is not followed. 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