On September 4, 2024, Governor Hochul signed into law the New York Retail Worker Safety Act which will impose significant workplace violence prevention requirements on retail employers.  Most of the law’s provisions will take effect on March 1, 2025.

Specifically, under the new law, retail employers with ten or more employees will be required to adopt a workplace violence prevention plan which must include:

(1) a list of factors or situations that may place retail employees at risk of workplace violence;
(2) methods to prevent incidents of workplace violence;
(3) information on legal provisions regarding violence against retail employees and remedies for victims; and
(4) an anti-retaliation statement.

In addition, covered employers must provide the interactive training to employees.  The State will create a model workplace violence prevention training program that can be utilized or employers can provide one of their own that is equivalent to the State-provided training.  The training must include:

• information on the requirements of the new law;
• examples of measures retail employees can use to protect themselves when faced with workplace violence from customers or other coworkers;
• de-escalation tactics;
• active shooter drills;
• emergency procedures; and
• instruction on the use of security alarms, panic buttons, and other related emergency devices.

Further, the new law mandates the installation of panic buttons at certain workplaces or the use of wearable or mobile phone-based panic buttons for retail workers employed by companies with more than 500 employees nationwide.  This requirement will become effective January 1, 2027. Retail employers that are covered by the law should begin to prepare a policy and training plan to ensure compliance with the New York Retail Worker Safety Act.  Should you have any questions or need assistance implementing your policies/plans, please contact Ali Law Group.

HRtelligence was created by the team at Ali Law Group, LLC.  Should you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Ali Law Group.

#showonalg