Novartis Announces 322 Layoffs at East Hanover Facility, Triggering WARN Act Investigation
Key Insights
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation plans to lay off 322 employees from its East Hanover, New Jersey facility by October 2, 2026, according to a WARN notice filed with the state.
The law firm Strauss Borrelli PLLC has launched an investigation into whether Novartis violated the federal WARN Act by failing to provide adequate 60-day advance notice.
These layoffs follow earlier workforce reductions at the same facility, including 114 layoffs in March, 60 in April, and 76 in May of the same year.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of the Swiss-based pharmaceutical giant, has notified the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development of its decision to conduct a mass layoff affecting 322 employees at its East Hanover, New Jersey facility. The layoffs are scheduled to take effect by October 2, 2026, according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice.
The WARN report did not specify which positions within the East Hanover facility would be downsized. Novartis maintains a major presence in New Jersey, with offices and research operations in East Hanover and other locations, employing thousands of people across research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing support, and corporate functions.
Pattern of Workforce Reductions
These 322 layoffs represent the latest in a series of workforce reductions at the East Hanover site. The facility previously announced 114 layoffs in March 2026, followed by 60 layoffs in April and 76 layoffs in May. Cumulatively, these reductions affect a substantial portion of the East Hanover workforce.
Novartis is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers, with products sold in more than 150 countries. The company's business focuses on developing patented prescription medicines rather than consumer health products or generic drugs.
WARN Act Investigation Underway
Strauss Borrelli PLLC, a leading class action law firm, has announced an investigation into whether Novartis failed to provide at least 60 days' prior written notice before implementing the layoffs, as required under the federal WARN Act. The firm stated that Novartis employees may be entitled to 60 days of severance pay and benefits if violations are found.
The WARN Act, passed by Congress in 1988, requires employers with 100 or more employees to provide a 60-day notice of significant layoffs or plant closings. This notice is designed to give workers and their families time to prepare for job loss, seek new employment, and pursue training or retraining opportunities. Generally, employees must receive a WARN Act notice if they are laid off or if their hours are cut by 50% or more in any six-month period because of a plant closing or mass layoff.
Employers who do not follow the WARN Act rules, either by giving notice too late or providing unclear notices, may be required to pay employees back pay and benefits for the time they were in violation.
Broader Economic Context
New Jersey's unemployment rate currently sits at 4.7 percent, according to the latest available data, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.2 percent. The layoffs at Novartis add to employment challenges in the region.
Strauss Borrelli PLLC has invited affected Novartis employees who did not receive 60 days' notice or severance to contact the firm regarding their rights and potential legal remedies.