What happened?

On June 7, 2024, the New York Assembly passed AB A8947C and is waiting for Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature. If signed, it would take effect on January 1, 2027 (estimated and only for the panic button), and would impose significant workplace violence prevention requirements on retail employers. 

What are the details?

Key Bites for Employers:

• Would require retail employers to install panic buttons in the workplace, establish a “workplace violence prevention policy,” and provide training to covered employees.

• Workplace Violence Prevention Programs: employers would have to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence.
  • These programs should include a list of factors or situations that might place retail employees at risk of workplace violence and methods employers may use to prevent incidents of workplace violence.

• Training: Employers are required to provide annual training on these programs at the time of hire.

• Panic Buttons: installation of panic buttons at certain workplaces, which would be physical, wearable, or mobile phone-based panic buttons to be provided is mandated to certain size employers.
  • When pressed (the panic button), it would immediately contact local emergency services, provide the employee’s location information, and dispatch local law enforcement to the store.

• Notice of Policy: it would require employers to provide in writing and in English (plus the language identified by each employee as their primary language – only if a template notice is available), at the time of hiring and in every annual training, the policy and the information presented in the training program.
  • The New York State Department of Labor would create a model workplace violence prevention policy for employers to use.

Business Considerations

• Retail employers should monitor the NYSDOL website to see when the model policy and training program will be posted. 
• Employers should plan and prepare to develop and implement the Workplace Violence Prevention Program, training, and notice.
• Employers could be inspired by California’s Workplace violence prevention plan to develop their policies, practices, procedures, and training.

Source References

• NY Assembly Bill A8947C (Retail Worker Safety Act)

Resources

• Reminder: California Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Effective on July 1, 2024 (VensureHR)

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