One of the most common topics of discussions we’ve had with retailers in recent months relates to pending panic button legislation in New York State that takes effect January 1, 2027. Retailers have been aware of the law since it was first introduced in 2024, but after several rounds of iterations, it’s here and retailers must prepare.

We know that frontline work can be unpredictable. From theft to aggressive customers, associates face risks that can escalate without warning. According to NRF’s 2025 Impact of Retail Theft and Violence report, 83% of retailers say aggression and violence from shoplifters is the same or higher than the year prior. This is why most retailers are adding panic buttons to their safety plans, and why New York is requiring them by law.

What's in the new safety legislation?

New York's Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358C), signed in September 2024, requires retail employers to develop workplace violence prevention programs and provide related training to employees. For retailers with 500 or more employees statewide, the law also mandates access to silent response buttons, the formal term for what’s commonly referred to as distress or panic buttons, by January 1, 2027.

Employers have several options for meeting the button requirement: fixed buttons placed throughout the store, mobile device or computer interfaces, or wearable, standalone buttons. When activated, these devices must promptly notify internal staff and relay the employee's location.

New York isn't alone, nor will they be the last state to enact similar legislation. California's Workplace Violence Prevention law (SB 553) took effect in 2024. For retailers, this is an early signal of where safety-related requirements are heading nationally.

Compliance is only part of the equation

There are many panic button solutions that can send a notification and satisfy the requirements of new legislation. The more important question is whether that notification translates into a coordinated, documented response.

Who received the notification and acknowledged it? How quickly did they respond? What record exists for post-incident review? For a retailer trying to understand safety patterns across dozens of sites and incidents, those gaps add up… and quickly.

As workplace safety solutions are evaluated, many are looking beyond simply sending an alert. They want visibility into the entire response, including response times, escalations, and incident records that can support operational reviews and continuous improvement.

Rethinking the panic button

As we looked at emerging workplace safety requirements, we challenged ourselves to rethink what a panic button could be. We didn’t want to introduce a standalone device - another device for the organization to manage. We wanted to explore where existing communications tools could be used.

What we found is that when paired with SYNQ AI Radio, existing two-way radios can act as discreet safety alert devices. They can be voice activated or triggered with a programmable button on the radio.  

For organizations that prefer a dedicated button, SYNQ Pulse IoT Buttons or Digital Call Buttons provide an alternative way to initiate safety alerts and response workflows.

SYNQ AI Radio: Using existing radios as panic buttons

In high-pressure situations, associates might not be near a fixed panic button — but they almost always have their radios. That’s what makes SYNQ AI Radio such a powerful safety tool.  

By either pressing a programable button on the radio, or speaking a configurable code word into a radio, associates can trigger an alert through whatever communications platform is already being used within the organization.

With integration into enterprise communication platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zebra Workcloud Sync, Zipline, and others, SYNQ AI Radio can route safety notifications to managers, internal security teams, or centralized security operations centers.  

Sending alerts through existing communication platforms ensures the right teams are notified while creating a digital record for post-incident review and compliance reporting.

SYNQ Pulse IoT and Digital Call Buttons: A dedicated alerting option

Some organizations prefer a dedicated physical trigger that can be easily accessed during an emergency.

The SYNQ Call Buttons gives associates a simple, discreet way to request assistance. When pressed (on the physical button or the screen), alerts route to designated personnel, with escalation procedures in place if the initial notification is missed. Activation time, location, and response activity are all captured, creating a record that supports incident review, compliance reporting, and ongoing safety improvements.

Unlike a traditional panic button that sends a signal and stops there, SYNQ Call Buttons connect the alert to a managed response workflow.

Moving beyond compliance

New workplace safety legislation is prompting many organizations to take a closer look at how associates can request assistance during an emergency.  

Connected solutions can do more than trigger an alert. They can route notifications to the right teams, support escalation procedures, and create a documented record of how each incident was handled. That visibility matters whether you're managing one location or a hundred.

Whether organizations choose to leverage existing radios, deploy dedicated alert buttons, or use a combination of both, the goal stays the same: providing employees with a reliable way to request assistance while improving visibility, accountability, and coordination.

Ready to go beyond compliance? Talk to our team about building a connected safety response workflow.