Infographic underscores workplace violence risks and need for prevention programs
2025-01-09 | Blog
Workplace violence is a growing concern across industries, affecting the safety and well-being of employees and customers. With the recent passage of state legislation, including New York’s Retail Safety Act and California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Law, organizations must take a proactive and comprehensive approach to workplace violence prevention.
The alarming statistics
A newly released infographic from Traliant sheds light on workplace violence risks:
- Nearly 1 in 4 employees have witnessed workplace violence in the past five years, and 12% have been directly targeted.
- Retail workers, who account for 9% of the U.S. workforce, face a disproportionate share of workplace violence, comprising 13% of incidents and 27% of homicides.
These figures underscore the pervasive nature of workplace violence and its devastating impact on both individuals and organizations.
Legal requirements and employer responsibilities
The infographic also serves as a valuable guide for employers on how to comply with evolving federal and state prevention requirements, including policies, training and reporting to provide employees with the tools and knowledge to address potential threats. It covers:
OSHA’s General Duty Clause: Employers must maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards that can cause death or serious harm. This broad mandate sets the foundation for specific state laws.
California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Law (effective July 1, 2024): Employers in California with 10 or more onsite employees must:
- Develop a workplace violence prevention plan
- Provide annual training that outlines the organization’s prevention policies
- Maintain records of violent incidents to assess risks and trends
New York’s Retail Safety Act (effective June 2, 2025): Retail employers in New York with 10 or more employees must:
- Implement a workplace violence prevention policy
- Provide training at hire and annually thereafter
- By January 1, 2027, employers with 500 or more retail workers nationwide must install panic buttons for employee safety
