Pre-Layoff Services
Rapid Response Services for Employers and Impacted Workers
Rapid Response Workshops are designed to provide immediate aid to companies and affected workers from layoffs and plant closings. Advance notice gives workers time to adjust, find a new job and receive skills training to compete in the job market. Pre-Layoff Services Overview (PDF)
- Trade-Related Layoffs and Plant Closures
The federal government helps workers who lose jobs from foreign trade or production shifts out of the U.S.
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 morale
- 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
To schedule a Rapid Response Workshop or to submit a WARN notification, contact:
Department of Workforce Services
State Dislocated Worker Unit
Tony Granados, 5th Floor
140 E. 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Email: rapidresponse_warn@utah.gov
Phone: 801-526-4312
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:
- DWS Offices Locations (pdf)
- Job search assistance, and how to use jobs.utah.gov (pdf)
- Labor market information
- Unemployment Insurance - Printable Flyer (pdf)
- Training
- Health Benefits, including Cobra and other state health insurance options
- 401K Protection
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN)
The WARN Act requires certain covered employers with 100 or more full-time employees to give workers a 60-day notice before a plant closing or mass layoff. Employers should provide notice to the State Dislocated Worker Unit as quickly as possible in order to access an array of no-cost employer and re-employment services.