New legislation enacted in New York will require specific retail employers to take action in an effort to prevent workplace violence. Under Assembly Bill A8947C (the Retail Worker Safety Act), certain employers must also install panic buttons in the workplaces.
The first requirement applies to employers with 10+ employees. Applicable retail employers must implement a workplace prevention policy and provide regular notice and training. It is slated to go into effect on March 4, 2025.
The panic button requirement applies to employers with 500+ retail employees and goes into effect January 1, 2027.
If this applies to you, be sure to watch the New York Workplace Violence Prevention website for additional updates.
This article is informational and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with an employment lawyer or accountant for additional clarification on how these changes impact your company.