What happened?

On February 12, 2025, the New York Congress sent SB S740 to the governor’s desk for signature. If signed, it would amend the Retail Employee Workplace Violence Prevention Law.

Overview:

The Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) will soon require retail employers to implement a written workplace violence prevention policy and conduct violence prevention training.

• While most requirements were initially set to take effect on March 3, 2025, the amendments pushed back the effective date for the policy, training, and notice provisions to June 2, 2025.

• The effective date for panic buttons, now called “silent response buttons,” remains January 1, 2027.

• The pending amendments do not significantly change most employers’ obligations under the forthcoming law. However, the change from “panic” buttons to “silent response” buttons provides covered employers with more options, removing the requirement to dial 9-1-1.

• The amendments also give employers three more months to prepare for compliance with the policy and training requirements.

• Employers should prepare by determining whether they will adopt the NY Department of Labor’s model policy and training or create their own. The model policy and other informational materials will be available on the NY Department of Labor’s website.

Additional Details

Key Amendments

1. Silent Response Button: The amendments replace the panic button requirement with “silent response buttons,” which request assistance from security officers, managers, or supervisors instead of law enforcement. These buttons must be easily accessible in the workplace or be wearable or mobile phone based.

2. Higher Headcount for Silent Response Buttons: Employers with 500 or more retail employees statewide, rather than nationwide, must provide silent response buttons for internal alerts.

3. Eased Training Requirements for Smaller Retailers: Employers with fewer than 50 employees must provide workplace violence prevention training upon hire and once every two years thereafter, instead of annually.

4. Language Requirements: Based on the latest American Community Survey data, the NY Department of Labor will issue model templates of workplace violence prevention policies in English and the twelve most common non-English languages spoken in New York.

“Please mark the effective date on your calendar as a reminder to be fully prepared and ready to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.”

Source References

• NY Senate Bill S740
• New York Enacts Retail Worker Safety Act (VensureHR)

Resources

• NY Safety, Health, & Essential Rights Program

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