Protect your people. Protect your business.

If you operate a retail business in New York, you may already know about the NY Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) — a new law that requires many retailers to provide workplace violence prevention training and other safety measures.

But why should you prioritize compliance now? What are the real risks of delay, and what are the benefits of taking this law seriously?

In this post, we’ll explore why RWSA compliance is not just a legal requirement, but also a smart investment in the future of your business.

1. Protect your employees

The most important reason to comply is simple: to help keep your team safe.
Retail is now **one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S.** for workplace violence.
Incidents can involve:
Aggressive customers
Attempted theft escalating into violence
Domestic violence situations spilling into the workplace
Conflicts between employees

The required RWSA training teaches your staff how to recognize early warning signs, use de-escalation techniques, and respond safely if an incident occurs.

By providing this training, you equip your team with practical tools that can help prevent harm and potentially save lives.

2. Reduce legal and financial risk

Non-compliance with the RWSA can carry significant legal and financial consequences.
As discussed in our previous post, civil penalties can reach **$10,000 to $20,000 per violation**.
More importantly, failing to meet your obligations can increase your potential liability in civil lawsuits, if a significant incident occurs.
For example, if a retail store employee is seriously injured during a violent incident and the employer failed to provide required training or lacked the required policy, the employer could face substantial legal exposure, including settlements or judgments that could potentially reach **six figures or more**.

Following the current law by complying with the RWSA provides an important layer of legal protection for your business.

3. Protect your brand and reputation

Workplace violence incidents are highly visible and can quickly damage a company’s reputation.

If an incident occurs and it is discovered that the employer was not in compliance with state law, negative publicity can spread fast — harming customer trust and making it harder to attract and retain employees.

By visibly prioritizing employee safety and complying fully with the RWSA, you send a clear message: your business cares about its people and its community.

Suggested image:

Newspaper headline concept ("Retail Workplace Violence")
Retail team smiling or working confidently together

4. Improve morale and retention

In today’s retail labor market, employees want to work for companies that take their safety seriously.
Providing clear, effective training and demonstrating a commitment to workplace safety helps improve morale and can boost retention — particularly among experienced team members who value a safe working environment.
Compliance is not just about avoiding penalties. It’s about fostering a workplace culture where people feel valued and protected.

5. Compliance is simple and affordable

Thanks to our online training option, complying with the RWSA does not need to be burdensome or expensive.

NY Retail Safety offers an online training course designed to meet training requirements specifically for New York retail businesses.

Our training makes it easy to:

Meet all RWSA training requirements
Track completions for your records
Provide interactive, interesting and practical content to your retail store teams

For most businesses, the cost of our RWSA training is far less than the potential penalties and legal exposure of non-compliance. It is also the right thing to do for your retail store employees.

Conclusion: The right time to comply is now

The RWSA is already in effect, and enforcement is coming.

Complying now protects your employees, your business, and your reputation — and helps you build a safer, stronger workplace.

NY Retail Safety makes it easy to get started.

Enroll your team today and ensure you are prepared.

Why Comply with the NY Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA)?