Rhode Island law taking effect January 1, 2024 will impose criminal penalties on employers for knowing and willful wage and hour violations. The law also includes harsher penalties for employers generally, and those in the construction industry specifically, that misclassify workers as independent contractors.
Articles About Rhode Island Labor And Employment Law
Rhode Island Governor Signs Ban on Nondisclosure, Non-Disparagement Agreements
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee has signed a bill that prohibits the use of nondisclosure or non-disparagement agreements regarding civil rights abuses “as a condition of employment.” According to a recent update to the legislature’s website, the bill was signed on June 22, 2023. Quick Hits The Rhode Island governor
Rhode Island Nondisclosure Agreements Bill Moves to Governor; Senate Passes New Noncompete Ban
The Rhode Island legislature recently moved two bills forward that would limit employers’ use of restrictive covenants with employees. On June 19, 2023, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill, Senate Bill (S) 0342, that would prohibit the use of nondisclosure or non-disparagement agreements regarding civil rights abuses,
Rhode Island Enacts New “Tip Protection” Law
On June 28, 2022, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed new “tip protection” legislation. The statute prohibits employers of tipped employees from retaining employee tips, creates new requirements for tip pools, and sets requirements for deductions from tips for credit card processing.
Existing Law Regarding Tipped Employees
Rhode Island Enacts Tip Law, Mirroring Aspects of the FLSA
Rhode Island has joined the list of states adopting laws governing the payment of tips. House Bill (HB) 7510, which is codified as Public Law 2022-245, mirrors nearly all tip-related aspects of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and its regulations. The law became effective on June 28, 2022.
Employer Drug-Testing Rules Clipped by Rhode Island Marijuana Legalization
On May 25, 2022, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed into the law the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, which legalized recreational cannabis. As a result, Rhode Island has joined a small but growing minority of states that extend employment protections to employees who use marijuana during non-working hours. With
Rhode Island Legalizes Recreational Marijuana and Protects Off-Duty Use
Finding Religious Accommodations in Rhode Island’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare and healthcare-related employers have not just been at the heart of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, they have also recently been on the battleground in the fight over mandatory vaccination. Multiple states and locales have enacted some form of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Many of these vaccination
Rhode Island Amends Pay Equity Law, Bans Salary History Inquiries, and Requires Pay Scale Disclosures
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed pay equity legislation (H 5261A, S 0270A) that will go into effect on January 1, 2023. The new legislation amends Rhode Island’s existing pay equity law and contains the following key provisions.
Rhode Island Enacts Comprehensive Pay Equity Law
Rhode Island has joined the growing ranks of states that have enacted a sweeping pay equity statute. The Rhode Island law, which takes effect on January 1, 2023, amends the Rhode Island Equal Pay Law and places significant new burdens on both large and small businesses. The law seeks
Rhode Island Enacts New Protections Against Pay Discrimination
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has signed into law new protections against pay discrimination. The new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2023, makes it unlawful to pay any employee less than the employees of another race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or
Rhode Island Joins List of States Enacting $15 Minimum Wage Law
On May 20, 2021, Governor Dan McKee signed an amendment to Rhode Island law that will see the Ocean State’s minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour by 2025. Beginning January 1, 2022, Rhode Island’s minimum wage will increase from its current $11.50 to $12.25. On January 1, 2023, it
Rhode Island Employee May Proceed With Lawsuit Alleging That Termination For Failed Breath Test Violated State Law
A federal court in Rhode Island allowed a former employee to proceed with her lawsuit alleging that the employer violated state law when it terminated her employment after a positive breath alcohol test. Stafford v. CSL Plasma, Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-00270 (D.R.I. September 14, 2020).
Stafford worked for CSL Plasma
Rhode Island Supreme Court Upholds Dismissal of Driver Who Refused Reasonable Grounds Drug Test
On May 29, 2020, the Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed a trial court’s dismissal of a lawsuit alleging a violation of the Rhode Island drug testing statute brought against an employer that terminated an employee for refusing to submit to a reasonable grounds drug test. Although there were multiple
Rhode Island Supreme Court Clarifies ‘Reasonable Grounds’ Standard for Employment-Based Drug Testing
Like many states, Rhode Island has enacted a statute that governs the use of drug tests in the employment context. Under Rhode Island’s drug-testing statute, R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-6.5-1(a)(1), an employer may require an employee to submit to a drug test only if it has “reasonable grounds to believe