Every retail employee deserves to feel safe when they show up for work. But across New York, frontline workers are facing more verbal abuse, harassment, and violence than ever. As HR leaders who truly care about your teams, we know you’re feeling the pressure—wanting to protect your people, but needing clear guidance on how to do it.
That’s where the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) comes in. This law turns safety recommendations into mandatory requirements. Let’s break down what you need to know, what’s required, and how you can get ahead before the deadlines.
Signed into law on September 4, 2024, the RWSA (S8358B/A8947C) requires New York retail employers to implement:
This isn’t just about checking a compliance box—it’s about making sure your employees feel protected, especially when incidents escalate quickly and frontline teams are left to handle them on their own.
Retail employers in New York State with 10 or more employees:
The New York Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) applies to all retail employers operating within New York State that have at least 10 employees working at a retail store, regardless of where the company is headquartered. This means that even if a retailer is based outside of New York, if it operates retail locations within the state and meets the employee threshold, it must comply with the RWSA requirements.
Written Safety Policy – Effective June 2, 2025
Interactive Training – Effective June 2, 2025
Emergency Alert Systems – Effective January 1, 2027
Ongoing Training & Notices
✅ Review or create your Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
✅ Plan and schedule compliant, interactive, scenario-based training
✅ Ensure multilingual access for your non-English-speaking employees
✅ Start discussions about emergency response options (for 500+ employees)
✅ Document everything—from training completion to policy updates
Over 80% of retail workers are afraid an active shooter could enter their store. That’s not just a number—it’s a wake-up call. Whether you have one store or 100, protecting your people starts with preparation, training, and fostering a culture of safety.
A recent survey by the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) echoes this urgency: over 80% of retail workers fear active shooter scenarios, and nearly two-thirds have experienced verbal harassment or intimidation on the job. Even more concerning, fewer than 10% felt their employers made meaningful safety improvements after a violent incident occurred.
These numbers aren’t just statistics—they’re signals that it’s time to take action. Workplace violence prevention isn’t just about checking a compliance box—it’s about ensuring your people feel safe, valued, and supported daily.
Our New York Retail Workplace Violence Prevention Course is tailored specifically for retail and fully compliant with the NY Retail Worker Safety Act.
But more importantly, it’s designed to empower your team with the confidence, clarity, and care they need to stay safe.
When you’re managing thousands of employees across multiple stores, warehouses, and customer-facing roles, cookie-cutter training won’t cut it.
At SHIFT HR Compliance Training, we work with enterprise-level employers who don’t just want to check the box—they want to create real change.
We understand that:
Let SHIFT help you create a safer, more confident workplace—one step at a time. Learn more about our Preventing Workplace Violence training or contact us for a demo of our course.
Do you have any questions about our HR Compliance or Workplace Culture training? Contact us today to discover how we can elevate your training programs and support you in creating a more inclusive and empowering workplace.
