New York Retail Worker Safety Act Takes Effect Statewide

New York's Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) took effect on June 2, 2025, requiring retail employers with 10 or more employees to implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs, including written policies, employee training on de-escalation and active shooter scenarios, and regular risk assessments. Employers with 500 or more workers statewide must install silent response buttons by 2027 to allow workers to discreetly alert security or management in emergencies, replacing earlier proposals for panic buttons that would call 911. The law excludes restaurants and food establishments primarily serving on-site consumption. The state Department of Labor has provided model policies, training materials, and FAQs to assist employers in compliance, clarifying definitions such as who qualifies as a retail employee and what constitutes workplace violence. The legislation was championed by Democratic lawmakers Jessica Ramos and Karines Reyes, and supported by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, whose president highlighted the law's role in reducing retail worker fear and improving safety. Amendments also included multilingual policy templates and adjusted training requirements for smaller employers, reflecting the diverse New York workforce and varying business sizes.