By Anastasia M. McCarthy, Esq.
In a few short months, New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act will take effect. This law requires retail business owners with at least 10 employees to:
- Implement a workplace violence prevention policy that identifies potential risks in the workplace; methods for mitigating said risks; and protecting employees from retaliation for reporting safety concerns.
- Provide annual (and at time of hire) interactive training for employees covering de-escalation strategies; active shooter response; use of panic buttons and safety devices like security alarms; and emergency response protocols.
- Employers with more than 500 employees must ensure access to panic buttons that directly contact emergency services.
The NY Department of Labor will be developing a model workplace violence prevention policy and training materials that employers may adopt. For guidance on these issues, please contact any member of the firm’s Labor & Employment team at 716-849-8900.