[throwaway7ahgb]

You're missing the part where 5% isn't let go at once triggering WARN.

Think of this is as a continuous process of evaluation -> pip -> fire. This means no WARN and no severance.

[gamblor956]

You're missing the part where the WARN Act doesn't require the employees to be let go all at once.

And the part where rolling layoffs at a company the size of GM will all involve multiple layoffs exceeding the WARN threshold.

And the part where no general counsel will let their company knowingly subject itself to a $500 daily fine per employee, in addition to full back pay for the mandated period.

And the part where GM satisfies its WARN obligations by paying the mandated severance (or more) in lieu of providing advance notice...which is what most companies do...