Rapid Response Layoffs and Plant Closures

A layoff is difficult for everyone.  This program provides a variety of services to employers and their employees when it becomes necessary to downsize.  

These services focus on insuring that affected employees are aware of Unemployment Insurance, childcare assistance, health insurance, and help that is available through the State Employment Service at their local Workforce Oklahoma Centers. In the case of a major decline in company staffing, job fairs are provided to these companies and their workers.

Rapid Response activities are provided as a part of a comprehensive Workforce Investment System designed to respond quickly to employer, employee and community needs when a mass layoff and/or plant closure appears imminent. The objective of Rapid Response is to help workers transition from notification of layoff to re-employment as soon as possible.

Oklahoma maintains a database of WARN Notices to track mass layoffs and plant closings. This database captures known facts such as number impacted, reason for layoff, presence of a labor union, and the services provided to the employer and affected workers. To link to US Department of Labor - employer and employee assistance during a reduction in employees see http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/employers01.cfm

You may also access other state WARN notices here.

The Rapid Response Team will:

• Coordinate activities with the Unemployment Insurance staff and those in our worker adjustment program.
• Ensure the prompt and appropriate targeting of additional assistance to Local Workforce Development Boards for basic readjustment and retraining services
• Ensure Rapid Response activities are carried out in local areas, and work in conjunction with Local Workforce Development Boards and Chief Elected Officials in those areas
• Provide prompt additional assistance to local areas that experience disasters, mass layoffs or plant closings, or other events that precipitate substantial increases in the number of unemployed individuals
• Provide technical assistance to local areas to increase coordination of other available resources such as NAFTA-TAA and Pell Grants.

If we can be of assistance, please e-mail Lynda Baird, OESC, at lynda.baird@oesc.state.ok.us.