Compliance Stuff

The Trump administration’s push to downsize the federal workforce has entered a new phase, marked by rounds of layoffs, the deferred-resignation plan, and other voluntary departure programs. As the federal government shutdown enters its second week, the administration has escalated its response by threatening sweeping program cuts and workforce reductions. As the administration continues its focus on reducing federal spending, many federal contractors are bracing for a wave of contract and grant reviews, reductions, and terminations . These changes, often sudden and sweeping, can force federal contractors and grant recipients into difficult decisions about workforce reductions. For recipients of federal funds, these decisions are not just operational or financial—they also carry significant legal obligations under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, and in some cases, under state “mini-WARN” laws that can be even more stringent. Navigating the complexi...

On October 1, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation ( Senate Bill (SB) 617 ) that requires employers to include additional information in their notice for mass layoffs, terminations, and relocations under the California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (Cal-WARN) Act. Quick Hits California Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 617 on October 1, 2025, requiring employers to include additional information in their Cal-WARN notices for mass layoffs, terminations, and relocations. Starting January 1, 2026, Cal-WARN notices must disclose whether employers plan to coordinate services, such as a rapid response orientation, through the local workforce development board or another entity, and include specific contact information and descriptions of available services. Employers may want to update their Cal-WARN notice templates to ensure compliance with the new requirements to avoid potential legal issues. Cal-WARN prohibits employers, with certain exceptions, from institutin...