By Siddharth Cavale
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law on Thursday requiring retailers to increase safety protections for store workers, including requiring major chains to add panic buttons at all New York state locations.
Unions representing retail workers had pushed for the new law, known as the Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA), after high-profile shootings in the state and because some retail executives have recently cited a rise in retail crime, a claim that has been disputed.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The requirement to install panic buttons specifically in retail workplaces is the first of its kind in U.S. states. While California adopted similar but broader workplace requirements earlier this year, it did not mandate the installation of panic buttons.
Walmart (NYSE:), the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the New York State Food Industry Alliance (FIA) have all previously opposed the RWSA. Walmart opposed the panic button idea, citing concerns about the likelihood of false alarms. Others expressed concerns about the associated costs.
Walmart and the NRF declined to comment. The NRF referred comments to the New York State Retail Council, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Retail groups have sent letters to the New York State Senate in the past opposing panic buttons.
CONTEXT
The RWSA takes effect after 180 days and requires, among other things, that retailers with 10 or more employees adopt a violence prevention plan and maintain records of violent incidents for at least three years.
It also requires retailers with 500 or more employees nationwide to install panic buttons in easily accessible locations or provide portable panic buttons or cellphone-based alarm devices to alert emergency officials.
This provision of the law will enter into force on January 1, 2027.
IN NUMBERS
There have been at least 40,900 complaints related to shoplifting in New York City so far this year, an increase of 2.7 percent over last year, according to the New York Police Department.
US retailer Target also closed nine branches, including one in East Harlem, citing violence against employees and shoplifting as the main reasons.