Skip to main content
National Course Portal
Employee guide5 min read

New York 27-e Training: What Retail Workers Need to Know

New York Labor Law 27-e is the Retail Worker Safety Act. Retail workers should know when training happens, what it covers, and why store-specific details matter.

Quick answer

New York Labor Law 27-e requires covered retail employers to adopt a retail workplace violence prevention policy and provide interactive retail workplace violence prevention training. Workers should expect training at hire, paid work time, written training material, and store-specific information about exits, meeting points, emergency devices, and reporting procedures.

Compliance Snapshot

Law
NY Labor Law 27-e
Common name
Retail Worker Safety Act
Format
Interactive training plus written material
Store details
Employer-specific procedures matter

What 27-e covers

Section 27-e is New York's Retail Worker Safety Act. The state says covered retail employers must implement strategies to reduce workplace violence risk, adopt a policy, and provide training.

The training covers the law, protection measures, de-escalation, active shooter events, emergency procedures, emergency exits, meeting places, security alarms or buttons, and supervisor or manager responsibilities.

What employees should expect

The training should be interactive and happen during paid work time. Employees should also receive a written version of the training.

If your store has unique emergency devices, panic buttons, security concerns, exits, or meeting locations, those details should come from the employer.

Certificate use

A certificate can help prove that you completed the training path, but your employer may still need to record the completion internally.

If you are taking the course before your employer tells you to, ask whether the certificate will satisfy their records before you buy.

Action Checklist

  1. 1Know whether your employer is covered by 27-e.
  2. 2Complete interactive training at hire if required.
  3. 3Ask for store-specific emergency procedures.
  4. 4Keep a copy of your certificate.
  5. 5Report any employer instruction gaps through the proper internal path.

FAQ

Is New York 27-e only for managers?

No. The retail workplace violence training is for employees of covered retail employers, with supervisor and manager responsibilities included in the required topics.

Does the training need store-specific information?

Yes. New York DOL says employers using model training should add site-specific or company-specific information such as exits, meeting locations, emergency devices, and procedures.

Can I use a certificate for my employer?

Possibly, but employer acceptance is not automatic. Ask the employer what certificate and records they need.

Official Sources

This guide is general information for employer planning. It is not legal advice, and employers should confirm requirements with counsel, the regulator, or the requesting agency before relying on any course for a specific obligation.