New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act: What Retail Employers Need To Know

Retail employers in New York face a new critical compliance measure: the Retail Worker Safety Act, which took effect on June 2, 2025.

This new law introduces sweeping workplace safety requirements aimed at protecting retail employees from violence and providing them with tools to handle emergencies. If your business operates in New York and employs 10 or more workers, including third-party contractors, cleaning staff and security personnel — this law applies to you.

Key compliance requirements

1. Workplace violence prevention policy (effective June 2, 2025)
   • Who’s affected: Retail employers with 10 or more employees
   • What’s required:
     • A written policy identifying workplace violence risks (such as late hours and cash handling)
     • Clear reporting procedures, legal protections for victims and anti-retaliation language
     • Distribution in English and the employee’s primary language (if available) at hire and during training
2. Workplace violence prevention training
   • Training timeline:
     • At hire for all employees
     • Annually for employers with 50+ employees
     • Biennially for those with fewer than 50
   • Training content:
     • De-escalation tactics, emergency procedures and active shooter drills
     • Site-specific evacuation plans and supervisor responsibilities
   • Delivery:
     • Must be interactive (e-learning, remote or in person)
     • Written materials in English and employees’ primary languages
3. Silent response buttons (SRBs) (deadline: Jan. 1, 2027)
   • Who’s affected: Employers with 500+ retail employees statewide
   • What’s required:
     • Installation of stationary or mobile SRBs for immediate internal assistance
     • No location tracking unless activated in an emergency
     • Training on SRB use integrated into workplace violence training

How UL Solutions can help

Navigating these new requirements can be complex — but you don’t have to do it alone. UL Solutions brings decades of expertise in environmental, health and safety (EHS) compliance and workplace risk mitigation. We offer:

• Custom workplace violence policies tailored to your operations and risk profile
• Multilingual e-learning and training programs that meet New York’s Department of Labor standards
• Program development and implementation assistance to support compliance
• Facility risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and recommend improvements
• Silent response button integration guidance to help you choose and implement the right technology

Whether you need to build a compliant program from the ground up or enhance your existing safety protocols, UL Solutions is your trusted provider for creating safer retail environments.