Minnesota WARN Notices and What They Signal for the Job Market in 2025

Kathy Robideau

June 2, 2025

Minnesota’s labor market has been a model of resilience in recent years, buoyed by a strong demand for talent across nearly every industry. But as we approach the midpoint of 2025, there’s an emerging trend worth paying attention to: a noticeable increase in Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act filings.

The WARN Act requires employers with 100 or more full-time workers to provide advance notice—typically 60 days—of mass layoffs or plant closures. These notices are meant to give employees time to prepare for a job transition and allow local and state agencies to offer support services. While not all WARN filings result in layoffs, and some may be part of strategic business shifts, they can offer a useful early signal of changes in the employment landscape.

According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the volume of WARN notices filed in the first half of 2025 is already on pace to match or exceed previous full-year totals. That doesn’t necessarily indicate a downturn—but it does highlight a shift in employer behavior and perhaps a more cautious outlook as economic conditions evolve.

Reading Between the Lines

This increase in WARN activity appears across a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and professional services. Rather than pointing to a single sector in distress, the data suggests a more measured recalibration across the economy—possibly due to rising operational costs, evolving consumer behaviors, or post-pandemic normalization in certain markets.

Importantly, these filings are not always signs of trouble. In many cases, they reflect:

Seasonal business adjustments
Company mergers, acquisitions, or restructures
Shifts in strategic direction or automation efforts
Relocations or consolidations of facilities

For organizations, this trend is a reminder to stay proactive in workforce planning. For employees and job seekers, it’s a nudge to remain adaptable and career-ready—keeping skills sharp and networks active.

A Market in Motion, Not in Crisis

Despite the rise in WARN notices, Minnesota’s labor market remains fundamentally strong. Unemployment is still low, and many employers continue to compete for qualified talent across key sectors such as IT, finance, HR, and marketing. In fact, persistent labor shortages in several skilled professions are driving continued demand for innovative recruiting and retention strategies.

At Versique, we view WARN data as one of many indicators that inform our understanding of the market—not as a crystal ball. While it serves as an early signal worth monitoring, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Across our executive, professional, and interim recruiting practices, we’re seeing continued momentum, with organizations focused on securing the right leaders to navigate change and drive future growth.

How Versique Can Help

Whether you’re an employer navigating uncertain planning cycles or a professional considering your next move, Versique is here to help you thrive in a changing landscape. Our team is deeply connected to the Minnesota market and uniquely equipped to support transitions—whether planned or unexpected—with empathy, expertise, and insight.

For more information on Minnesota’s WARN notices and employer resources, visit DEED’s Layoff Resource Hub.

Kathy Robideau / About Author