New Law Protects Retail Workers in New York
Recently Enacted Retail Worker Safety Act Goes into Effect in 2025
The New York Legislature has passed a new law designed, in part, to minimize the risk of workplace violence. The Retail Worker Safety Act, modeled on similar legislation in California, was signed into law on September 4, 2024, and becomes effective on March 3, 2025.
What Must Retail Employers Do Under the Act to Minimize the Likelihood of Workplace Violence?
The new law defines a retail store as one that sells commodities at retail, but is not primarily engaged in the sale of food for consumption on the premises (restaurants are not covered). All covered employers must adopt and use a workplace violence policy and must provide workplace violence training to all employees.
The New York State Department of Labor is currently developing model policies and training regimens, but employers may create their own, provided they meet the requirements set forth in the statute:
- The workplace violence policy must:
- Identify factors that increase the likelihood of workplace violence, such as handling money, working alone or the lack of security at the workplace
- Identify strategies for prevention of workplace violence
- Provide resources to employees for further information about workplace safety, including legal options
- Be provided to employees in their primary language
- Notify workers of their right to be free from retaliation for reporting violations of the law
- The workplace violence training must:
- Identify specific measures or strategies workers can employ when confronted with workplace violence, whether from co-workers or customers
- Identify ways to deescalate potential workplace violence
- Include active shooter drills
- Identify emergency procedures to be followed in the event of workplace violence
- Instruct workers on the use of security alerts, panic buttons or other emergency devices
- Identify emergency exits or meeting places to be used in the event of workplace violence
We Can Help Protect Your Rights as an Employee
At the Romero Law Group, PLLC, we handle a wide range of legal issues for employees in Nassau and Suffolk Counties; in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx; in Westchester; and across Northern New Jersey. We offer a free initial consultation to any employee with a potential employment law dispute. To schedule an appointment, contact our offices online or call us at (631)257-5588.