Retail industry executives have a profound and unique responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their frontline employees. The recent enactment of New York’s Retail Worker Safety Act, which requires retail employers with more than 500 employees nationwide to provide personnel with panic buttons, marks a significant step toward enhancing worker safety.
Although this law does not take effect until January 2027, companies should proactively revisit their workplace violence protocols and consider implementing panic buttons where appropriate.
This approach, regardless of your location or company size, is not just about compliance — it’s about being a responsible employer committed to the safety of your employees.
Why Now?
More than three decades ago, when I started my career in retail in New York, the threat landscape was different. Crime was high, but incidents like active shooters and violent organized retail crime (ORC) were rare. Back then, the average retail store crisis management guide didn’t address these threats, but now they are central to retail emergency preparedness.
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Today, we frequently see videos of aggressive thefts and increasing workplace violence, and I am no stranger to this phenomenon. While serving as the head of asset protection at a large retailer, I experienced a protest escalating into violence. The fear and helplessness on employees’ faces are etched in my memory to this day. I wish they had been equipped with discreet panic alarms, which could have provided immediate access to help.
Panic alarms are already common in banks, casinos and gas stations, but less common in retail and generally only used for specific high-risk scenarios. By mandating panic alarms, the law acknowledges the evolving threat landscape and aims to provide retail employees with a critical tool to summon help quickly during emergencies, potentially deterring criminal activities and improving response times.
Revisiting your own workplace violence policies now demonstrates a proactive commitment to employee safety, not just compliance with future mandates.
Technological Solutions for Safeguarding Retail Environments
The good news is that, if necessary, implementing panic buttons need not be arduous. Modern panic buttons leverage existing ambient radio signals for precise location tracking without requiring significant additional infrastructure.
This technology, already used in environments like Las Vegas casinos, can be seamlessly integrated into retail settings, with options for stationary or wearable devices, including incorporating panic button capabilities into employee badges.
When an employee presses the button, their exact location is immediately communicated to a centralized security office, remote command center or even directly to local 911 public safety answering points (PSAP), prompting a swift law enforcement response. This discreet alerting method is crucial in high-risk situations where picking up a phone might escalate the threat.
It’s worth noting, however, that introducing panic buttons may necessitate a comprehensive review and update of workplace violence protocols. Employees should be trained on how and when to use these devices. It’s essential to balance avoiding overuse or misuse while ensuring employees feel confident using the button in genuine emergencies. False alarms can have significant consequences, so companies should partner with security specialists and local law enforcement agencies.
Empower Associates and Enhance Peace of Mind
While panic alarms and training alone won’t address the root causes of threats, they can empower associates and create greater peace of mind. Implementing these measures fosters a culture of trust and loyalty within your organization. Having personally witnessed the fear and uncertainty that arises in dangerous situations, I cannot overstate the importance of having such safety measures in place.
The New York law offers all retailers an opportunity to revisit their approach to dealing with workplace violence. Think of it as an investment in your employees’ safety and wellbeing. Don’t wait for the law to compel you; act now to safeguard your most valuable asset: your people. In doing so, you not only comply with future regulations, but also build a more secure environment for everyone involved.
Suni Shamapande is a Principal in PwC‘s Strategy and Operations Transformation practice, where he spearheads consulting in retail operations, inventory accuracy and cost transformation. With more than 25 years of experience in the global retail, restaurant, consumer goods and wholesale sectors, he provides comprehensive expertise from strategy to execution. Previously, Shamapande built his career in the consumer markets industry, rising from a store associate to a VP at several Fortune 500 companies.
