New York’s Delayed Retail Worker Safety Act Goes into Effect June 2

Originally set to go into effect Jan. 31, New York’s new law offers workers more protections against workplace violence and harassment.

The Retail Worker Safety Act (S. 8358B/A. 8947C), signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Sept. 4, 2024, requires that retailers with 10 or more employees adopt a workplace violence prevention policy. The policy must identify factors that put workers at risk of violence and outline violence prevention methods.

In addition, retail employers must offer annual training training employees on de-escalation tactics, active shooter drills, emergency procedures, use of panic buttons and more.

Employers must also install panic buttons at easily accessible locations throughout the store or provide workers with wearable/cellphone-based panic buttons. This provision applies to employers with 500 or more employees statewide.

The law directs the New York State Department of Labor to develop workplace violence prevention policy templates and trainings to facilitate employer compliance.

Sponsored by Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) and Assembly member Karines Reyes (D-Bronx) , the legislation was backed by the New York City-based Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

“The preventative measures this law provides will help stop violence and harassment before it starts,” RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said in a press release, “but even more importantly, will more safely assist workers in getting help quickly in the event of an emergency. The provisions in this bill can help to save lives.”

Under the latest bill, signed by Hochul on Feb. 14 and set to go into effect June 2, the requirement for panic buttons that would have called 911 has been replaced with a requirement for silent response buttons. The silent response buttons will alert a security officer, manager or supervisor.

Another amendment under the latest bill changed the annual violence prevention training requirement to once every two years.

Employers have until Jan. 1, 2027, to comply with the amended law.

Topics New York

Was this article valuable?