Panic Buttons Aren’t Enough: A Holistic Approach to Retail Worker Safety 

Panic Button on the Sales Floor  

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed the Retail Worker Safety Act into law, requiring retailers with 50 or more employees to implement safety measures like better lighting, adequate staffing, and employee training, alongside installing panic buttons. These buttons, when pressed, immediately dispatch local law enforcement. However, despite their potential benefits, some industry groups, such as the National Retail Federation and Retail Council of New York State, criticized the law for not going far enough, questioning its effectiveness in preventing crime. 

Research shows that retail workers face rising threats, with over 80% of surveyed employees fearing workplace violence, including active shooter situations, and nearly two-thirds reporting harassment or intimidation. Many frontline workers argue that the law’s mandates are not a comprehensive solution, calling for a more holistic approach to addressing crime in stores and communities. 

New York’s latest legislation mandating panic buttons for retail workers has shined a necessary spotlight on employee safety. Frontline retail workers—who form the backbone of our retail economy—are facing an increasing number of threats, making workplace safety a top concern. But while panic buttons and safety training are a step in the right direction, are they enough to protect employees in critical, fast-paced, and unpredictable situations? 

The Problem with Panic Buttons 

While the intent behind panic buttons is clear, there are considerable limitations to panic buttons that could render them ineffective or even useless in many potential theft or safety situations in a retail store.  

Requiring employees to physically press a button is often impractical, especially in high-stress situations. In moments of crisis, reaching for a button might not be feasible or convenient, and could even draw unwanted attention to the employee. For example, during an emergency, the button may be out of reach, and attempting to press it could escalate the situation. The statistics are alarming—86% of retail workers encounter physical threats in stores, with many contemplating quitting due to safety concerns. In light of this, it’s essential to adopt a more discreet and accessible solution.. 

Furthermore, panic buttons are limited in their response capabilities. Yes, a direct line to local police is a nice thing to have in theory, but it does not help to prevent a crime before it occurs or while it’s in progress. It also puts unnecessary pressure on the retail associate to decide in the moment whether to deem the situation they are observing as “warranted” for a press of the panic button. Oftentimes, the best response to an LP, AP, or safety threat is an in-house one, but those require swift action, dependable communication, and routine training—none of which panic buttons can offer store teams. 

A Voice-Enabled Solution 

Theatro understands the unique challenges retail workers face and the need for a solution that ensures their safety while also minimizing risks of escalation. This is why Theatro developed the Personal Safety Alert. Unlike panic buttons, this solution is accessed through Theatro’s voice-enabled devices, allowing employees to discreetly alert store leadership with a simple code word—no need for physical interaction. 

This method allows workers to request help from anywhere in the store without alerting potential threats. Once activated, the system instantly notifies store leadership, while the employee receives confirmation that their request has been acknowledged and assistance is on the way. Additionally, it provides guidance and reassurance to the employee during their time of distress. 

In more large-scale security events that require immediate, store-wide response—such as an active shooter, chemical spill, or weather emergency—Theatro users are equipped with Urgent Safety Notification. Theatro’s Urgent Safety Notification allows you to pause all communications to share important information with every associate at once. Store teams can customize the configuration of this notification to provide emergency response instructions, initiators will receive a head count to ensure every associate has heard and acknowledged the alert, and store leadership, HQ teams, and security teams will all be instantly alerted of the threat. 

With these discreet, yet powerful tools, and a host of other Theatro solutions dedicated to store safety and security, leadership teams will begin to experience both the tangible and psychological benefits of a frontline that always knows they’re protected. 

Invest in Holistic Safety Solutions outside of Panic Buttons 

As other states look to New York’s legislation as a model, it’s essential to think beyond traditional methods like panic buttons. True safety requires a comprehensive solution that addresses the realities of the in-store environment. Technology, like Theatro’s voice-enabled platform, provides a more efficient and safer way to protect retail workers. By combining voice, training, and real-time responses, retailers can offer frontline workers peace of mind, knowing they have the support they need to navigate difficult situations. 

Theatro’s Discreet Safety Solutions

Creating a safe environment in retail stores yields significant mental, health, financial, and business benefits. Theatro’s Mobile Communication Platform was built specifically with the needs of retailers and their frontline in mind. Theatro has the power to connect every employee, integrate with existing store security systems and generative AI platforms, and automatically trigger security alerts during an ORC incident.  

Interested in learning more about how you can improve your in-store safety? Reach out to our sales team today—we’d love to show you how Theatro is helping organizations create a safer shopping environment than ever before!