Which legislation is designed to govern layoffs and plant closures?

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act is specifically designed to address the issues of layoffs and plant closures. It requires employers to provide advance notice to employees, their families, and local government officials in cases of mass layoffs or when a plant closes. The intent of the WARN Act is to give workers time to prepare for the impending job loss and seek alternative employment or training opportunities.

This advance notice is crucial as it allows affected employees to make necessary arrangements and helps mitigate the negative impact of sudden job loss on communities. The law typically applies to employers with 100 or more employees and mandates a minimum of 60 days' notice for covered layoffs or closures.

Other legislation mentioned, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, primarily deals with wage and hour regulations; the Family and Medical Leave Act focuses on employee rights related to medical leave, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act pertains to workplace safety standards. While these laws are essential in their respective areas, they do not specifically govern layoffs and plant closures, making the WARN Act the correct choice for this question.