California Workplace Violence Training & Prevention Plan (SB 553)
California employers can meet SB 553 requirements by putting a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan in place and providing effective ongoing yearly workplace violence training for employees. For most covered employers, compliance includes both a WVPP and employee training, with training required when the plan is first established and annually thereafter.
Compliance Training Group helps California employers implement a compliant Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and provide yearly workplace violence training for supervisors and employees.
SB 553 requires more than a written plan
• A written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan
• Employee training when the plan is first established
• Ongoing annual training thereafter
• Additional training when new hazards are identified or the plan changes
• Ongoing procedures for reporting, response, review, and recordkeeping
California Workplace Violence Training - (e-learning)
- Content: Workplace Violence Prevention
- Version: Supervisor & Employee
- Course Length: 1 Hour
- Languages Available: English
- Price: $19.99 (single user e-learning enrollment)
What California SB 553 Requires
California SB 553 workplace violence requirements are addressed in California Labor Code 6401.9, which requires covered employers to establish, implement, and maintain an effective written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan that is specific to their work areas and operations. The law also requires employers to provide effective training to employees, maintain required records, respond to incidents, and review the effectiveness of the plan at least annually.
This means California workplace violence compliance is not just about drafting a document. Employers need a plan that is implemented in practice and supported by ongoing employee training.
A Plan Alone Is Not Enough
One of the most common misunderstandings about SB 553 is the belief that an employer can create a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and be done. That is not how the law works.
California requires employers to train employees on the plan and on workplace violence prevention topics when the plan is first established and annually thereafter. Additional training is also required when new or previously unrecognized workplace violence hazards are identified and when changes are made to the plan.
For employers, that means compliance is ongoing. The written WVPP matters, but so does annual training, hazard review, employee communication, incident response, and regular plan updates.
Key Training Elements - SB 553 (WVPP)
- Coordinating and implementing a WVP-Plan
- Identifying, evaluating, and correcting workplace hazards
- Involving your employees in plan development
- Post-incident response and investigation
- Procedures to ensure compliance with the WVP-Plan
- Regular plan review and updates
- Reporting incidents internally and to law enforcement
- Responding to workplace violence emergencies
- Strict record keeping guidelines
- Training employees
Training Overview - SB 553 (WVPP)
- Fillable PDF WVP-Plan Template
- Workplace Violence Hazard Identification, Evaluating, & Correction Record Template (5 Year Retention Requirement)
- Employee Training Log/Record Template (1 Year Retention Requirement)
- Workplace Violence Incident Investigation Report Template (5 Year Retention Requirement)
- Violent Incident Log (5 Year Retention Requirement)
- Sample Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
- Sample Anti- Retaliation Policy
California Workplace Violence Training - (On-site & Webinar)
- Content: Workplace Violence Training
- Version: Supervisor & Employee
- Course Length: 1 Hour
- Languages Available: English & Spanish
- Price: Contact us for Pricing
California Workplace Violence Training Topics
California workplace violence training should help employees understand the employer’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, how to obtain a copy, how to report incidents or concerns, and how workplace violence prevention procedures work within the organization. Training may also cover general awareness, employee participation, reporting expectations, and the employer’s overall approach to prevention and response.
Training should support the employer’s broader procedures for reporting, response, and ongoing compliance with the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan.
Who This Training Is For
This California workplace violence training is designed for employers that need help supporting SB 553 compliance, including:
• Supervisors and managers
• Employees covered by the employer’s WVPP
• HR and compliance teams
• Safety and operations personnel
• Multi-location California employers
• Organizations updating an existing plan and training program
Learning Objectives - California Workplace Violence Training
- Examining preventative measures per your WVPP
- Working with your team to speak on your specific WVPP
- How to recognize potentially violent workplace situations
- Techniques to stop escalation situations
- Security procedures to ensure the safety of employees during violent situations
- Identifying signs and symptoms of domestic violence
- Reviewing laws against violence in the workplace and the duties of the employer
- Warning signs of potential violence in the workplace
How Compliance Training Group Can Help
Compliance Training Group helps California employers move beyond a paper-only approach to workplace violence compliance. We help organizations understand what SB 553 requires, support implementation of a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, and deliver workplace violence training that supports ongoing compliance responsibilities.
Whether your organization is building a program from the ground up or updating an existing WVPP, we can help you align plan requirements, employee training, and ongoing annual compliance efforts.
For employers operating outside California or across multiple states, see our general workplace violence training page.
Additional Support for Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Requirements
For California employers that also need help developing or updating the written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan portion of SB 553 compliance, Compliance Training Group offers a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan webinar. This option supports the planning and documentation side of compliance and can be used alongside ongoing workplace violence training for supervisors and employees.
Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (Webinar)
- Content: Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (CA compliant)
- Version: Supervisor
- Course Length: 1-hour
- Languages Available: English
- Price: Contact us for Pricing
California Legislation Resources:
California Workplace Violence Training & SB 553 FAQ
Does California require workplace violence training?
Yes. For covered employers, California workplace violence compliance includes employee training. A written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan by itself is not enough.
Is a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan enough by itself?
No. California SB 553 requires more than creating a written plan. Employers also need training, implementation, review, and ongoing compliance procedures.
How often is workplace violence training required in California?
Training is required when the plan is first established and annually thereafter. Additional training is required when new workplace violence hazards are identified or when the plan changes.
Who needs workplace violence training in California?
For covered employers, employees in California need effective workplace violence training that aligns with the employer’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and job-specific hazards.
What is the difference between the WVPP and workplace violence training?
The WVPP is the employer’s written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan. Training is the employee education required to help workers understand the plan, reporting procedures, hazards, response expectations, and prevention strategies. California compliance requires both.
Compliance Training Group can help your organization support its Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and provide workplace violence training that addresses ongoing annual training requirements.
For organizations that also want to address emergency response scenarios, our Active Shooter Awareness Training can help employees understand how to respond quickly and appropriately during high-risk incidents.
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