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Home›Courses›HR Compliance›Workplace Violence Prevention in California

Workplace Violence Prevention in California

25 minutesEN / ESHR ComplianceCalifornia SB 553 (Labor Code Section 6401.9)
Quick Answer

Workplace Violence Prevention in California is a 25-minute online course that trains employees on workplace violence identification and reporting as required by California Senate Bill 553 (Labor Code Section 6401.9). It is designed for all employees at California workplaces and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Workplace violence in California results in thousands of injuries and nearly 100 deaths each year. In response, California passed Senate Bill 553, making it the first state to require comprehensive, industry-agnostic workplace violence prevention plans and annual employee training. Every California employer with 10 or more employees - or any workplace accessible to the public - must comply. Penalties for non-compliance can reach $25,000 for serious violations and over $162,000 for willful or repeat offenses.

This course trains your employees to recognize, report, and respond to the four types of workplace violence defined by California law. It covers threats, physical force, stalking, bullying, harassment, and verbal intimidation as they apply under SB 553. Your team will learn how to use your organization's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, understand their reporting rights and protections against retaliation, and know when and how to involve law enforcement.

What You'll Learn

  • California SB 553 requirements and employee rights under Labor Code Section 6401.9
  • The four types of workplace violence: stranger, customer/client, worker-on-worker, and personal relationship
  • Recognizing warning signs including mood swings, threats, substance use changes, and social media indicators
  • Reporting procedures and anti-retaliation protections under the law
  • How to respond during an active threat or violent incident
  • The role of the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan in your organization
  • Employer obligations for confidentiality and incident documentation

Who Needs This Training

  • All employees at California workplaces subject to SB 553
  • Front-line workers in retail, hospitality, and public-facing positions
  • Office and administrative staff at companies with 10 or more employees
  • Warehouse and manufacturing employees in California facilities
  • New hires who need initial SB 553 training before assignment
  • Any employee due for annual SB 553 refresher training

Regulatory Background

California Senate Bill 553, effective July 1, 2024, created Labor Code Section 6401.9, requiring most California employers to maintain a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and provide annual training. The law defines workplace violence broadly as any act or threat of violence occurring during work activities, including physical force, use of dangerous weapons, stalking, bullying, and verbal intimidation. Cal/OSHA enforces compliance through inspections and can issue citations with penalties up to $25,000 for serious violations and $162,851 for willful or repeat offenses. Employers must maintain Violent Incident Logs and retain all records for at least five years. The training must be provided when the plan is first established and annually thereafter, with additional sessions when new hazards are identified or the plan is updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

SB 553 defines four types: Type 1 involves an individual with no legitimate business relationship to the workplace (such as a robber); Type 2 involves customers, clients, or patients; Type 3 involves current or former employees; and Type 4 involves someone with a personal relationship to an employee who comes to the workplace to commit violence.
Yes. SB 553 explicitly prohibits employer retaliation against any employee who reports a workplace violence concern, participates in an investigation, or exercises their rights under the law. Employers must maintain confidentiality of reports to the extent possible while still addressing the hazard.
No. Employees who telework from locations of their own choosing that are not under the employer's control are exempt from SB 553's requirements. However, if a remote employee works from an employer-controlled location or reports to a covered worksite, the law applies during that time.
Under SB 553, employers must maintain all records related to workplace violence hazard identification, evaluation, and correction for a minimum of five years. Training records must be retained for at least one year. Violent Incident Logs must exclude personal identifying information to protect employee privacy.
This course covers the core training topics required by SB 553, including the definition and types of workplace violence, reporting procedures, and emergency response. However, SB 553 also requires that training address your organization's specific Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, so employers should supplement this course with site-specific plan review.

Part of These Training Packages

Workplace Compliance (HR)

Required HR and workplace behavior training

View Package Details

Related Courses

California employers typically pair this general employee course with Workplace Violence Prevention for Supervisors in California to ensure all staff levels meet SB 553 requirements. Organizations concerned with broader workplace safety may also add Active Shooter: In The Workplace training to address emergency preparedness beyond the SB 553 mandate.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English and Spanish at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person