Workplace Violence Laws by State

Workplace violence includes threats, assaults, robbery and other harm at work. There is no single federal workplace violence standard for most industries, but several laws and rules require or encourage prevention. State laws are growing.

• All Workers
• Employers
• Healthcare & Retail
• California

Federal rules

• OSHA has no specific workplace violence standard for general industry, but employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious harm, under the General Duty Clause. OSHA has cited employers where violence was a known risk. See Employer Responsibilities.
• OSHA offers guidelines for healthcare, social service and late-night retail work.
• Workers can report hazards and file complaints. See Worker Rights.

State laws

States differ widely. Some of the main types are:

• General workplace violence prevention plans. At least one state with its own OSHA plan requires most employers to have a written plan, training and an incident log. California's rule took effect in mid-2024 for most workplaces. See California.
• Healthcare workplace violence laws, in a growing number of states, requiring hospitals and sometimes other healthcare employers to assess risk, train staff and report incidents.
• Laws making assault of certain workers a felony or a more serious crime, such as healthcare staff, transit or retail workers, sports officials and first responders.
• Workplace restraining orders that employers can seek to protect an employee from a violent person in some states.
• Public employee plans: state OSHA plans cover public employees, which may include extra violence prevention rules. See State Plans Overview.

What good prevention looks like

• A written policy that bans violence and threats, with a way to report them
• A hazard assessment of tasks, locations and past incidents
• Controls: lighting, locks, cameras, alarms, staffing, cash handling, escorts and barriers
• Training in recognizing warning signs, de-escalation and emergency response. See Workplace Violence and Active Shooter
• Post-incident support and investigation
• No retaliation against anyone who reports. See State Whistleblower Laws

If you are threatened

• Stay safe first. Call 911 for immediate danger.
• Report threats to your supervisor, HR or security, and write down what happened.
• If someone outside work (such as a partner) threatens you, tell your employer. They may help with safety planning and may be able to seek a restraining order in some states.
• Contact your state labor or OSHA agency if your employer ignores a known danger.

Last updated: October 8, 2026