Overview
The Retail Worker Safety Act (NYS Labor Law, Section 27-e) requires all employers who employ 10 or more retail employees in New York State to implement strategies to reduce the risk of workplace violence to their employees and increase employee safety. All employers covered by the Act must adopt a retail workplace violence prevention policy and provide their employees with retail workplace violence prevention training.
Starting January 1, 2027, all retail employers with 500 or more employees in New York State must:
Provide employees with a silent response button. This button must request immediate assistance from a security officer, manager, or supervisor in case of emergency.
Covered Retail Employers
The Retail Worker Safety Act applies to all New York State employers who employ 10 or more employees to work at a retail store (or stores). Retail stores include any store that sells goods directly to the public at retail. Retail stores do not include businesses that primarily sell food to be eaten on-site, such as restaurants.
Retail Worker Safety Act Frequently Asked Questions
File a Complaint
What Employees Need to Know
If you believe your employer is in violation of the Retail Workers Safety Act, you may file a complaint with the Safety, Health, and Essential Rights Program at the New York State Department of Labor. These complaints will be kept anonymous where feasible.
Online: You may file a complaint using the online portal here:
Email: You may file a complaint by emailing a completed SH550 to: [email protected]
Mail: You may mail a complaint by printing and mailing a completed SH550 to:
Safety, Health, and Essential Rights
1220 Washington Ave
Building 12, Room 169
Albany, NY 12226
Contact Us
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 518-457-3863
Employees have a right to file a complaint for violations of this law. These complaints will be kept anonymous to the extent possible.