

The Warehouse Workers Protection Act establishes legal requirements for employers and employees in certain warehouse distribution centers. Under the law, there are employer requirements as well as rights for warehouse employees.
The law requires distribution centers to disclose work speed data to current and former employees to inform them about their job performance and rights in the workplace. The legislation also protects workers from disciplinary action or firing exclusively because of a failure to meet undisclosed speed quotas or quotas that do not allow for proper breaks. Starting June 1, 2025, employers must establish and implement an injury reduction program to identify and minimize the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders to workers.
Workers are also protected from retaliation for making a complaint because they believe a quota violates their right to proper break time and, effective June 1, 2025, making a complaint about an injury reduction program.
The law applies to any employer who directly or indirectly employs or has control over the wages, hours, or working conditions of either 100 or more employees at a single warehouse distribution center or 1000 or more employees at one or more warehouse distribution centers in New York State. A “warehouse distribution center” is defined using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for warehousing and storage (excluding farm product warehousing and storage), merchant wholesalers, and electronic shopping and mail order houses, as well as couriers and express delivery services.
Employees covered by this law are those that work at a warehouse distribution center, are subject to quotas, and are not exempt from the minimum wage or applicable minimum wage orders, or any overtime compensation provisions of the Labor Law. Drivers or couriers to and from a warehouse are not included in this law.
The law applies to employers and employees at certain warehouse distribution centers. A warehouse distribution center is defined using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for warehousing and storage (excluding farm product warehousing and storage), merchant wholesalers, and electronic shopping and mail order houses, as well as couriers and express delivery services. The specific NAICS codes are:
493- Warehousing and Storage (excludes 493130- Farm Product Warehousing and Storage);
423- Merchant Wholesalers, durable goods;
424- Merchant Wholesalers, non-durable goods;
454, 110- Electronic Shopping, Mail-Order houses;
492, 110- Couriers, Express Delivery Services;
In order to file a complaint, you must work or have previously worked in a warehouse distribution center that employs at least 100 workers, or for an employer that employs over 1,000 employees in multiple warehouse distribution centers within New York State. Drivers or couriers to and from warehouses are not included in this law.
The New York State Department of Labor is authorized to assess civil penalties in addition to any other remedy or penalty provided for in the Labor Law. You may also file a separate complaint with the New York State Attorney General, who can prosecute both civil and criminal actions for violations of this law independently.
Employees can file a complaint online, by email, or by mail.
Email: You may file a complaint by emailing a completed SH550 to: [email protected]
Mail: You may file a complaint by mailing a completed SH550 to:
Safety, Health, and Essential Rights
1220 Washington Ave
Building 12, Room 169
Albany, NY 12226
For questions or concerns you may email: [email protected].