Workplace violence prevention - New York

New York law aims to prevent the threat of workplace violence in the retail industry. It applies to retail employers with at least 10 retail employees. Employers must:

• Establish a written workplace violence prevention policy. The state Department of Labor will create a model guidance document that employers may use to develop their own policies. The policy must be given to all employees in writing at the time of hire.
• Conduct employee safety training. The state DOL will offer a model training program that employers may adopt. The training must be provided to employees at the time of hire and annually thereafter. Employers with fewer than 50 employees can conduct training every two years following the time of hire. The training must include, at a minimum:
  • Information on the requirements of the workplace safety law;
  • Ways that retail employees may protect themselves when faced with violence from customers or coworkers;
  • De-escalation tactics;
  • Active shooter drills;
  • Emergency procedures;
  • Instruction on the use of security alarms or buttons and related emergency devices;
  • A site-specific list of emergency exits and meeting places in case of emergency;
  • Any additional responsibilities that supervisors may have regarding emergency procedures.
• Provide written notice to employees of the safety policy and the information included in the safety training, both in English and in the language established as the employee’s primary language.
• (Effective January 1, 2027) Install a silent response button that allows employees to request assistance from a security office, manager, or supervisor in case of emergency. The button may be a device installed at an easily accessible location in the facility, or it may be wearable or mobile phone based. If mobile phone based, the silent response button may only be installed on employer-provided equipment.

Related information

• Workplace violence prevention - ezExplanation
• Active shooter - ezExplanation
• Workplace violence in health care - ezExplanation
• Workplace violence in retail - ezExplanation

Citations

• N.Y. Lab. L Chap. 31 Art. 2 Sec. 27e
• 29 USC 654 — Duties of employers and employees (General Duty Clause)