Rhode Island Employment Law

Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act covers employers with 4+ employees with a 365-day filing deadline. Includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and domestic abuse victim protections.

At-Will

Yes

Right-to-Work

No

EEOC Deferral

300 days

Min. Wage

$16.00

Rhode Island State Laws (1)

RI FEPA

R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 28-5-1 to 28-5-44

365 days
4+ employees

The Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age (40+), country of ancestral origin, and domestic abuse victim status. The Act covers employers with four or more employees and complaints must be filed within 365 days with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights.

Protected Classes

racecolorreligionsexsexual orientationgender identity or expressiondisabilityage (40+)country of ancestral origindomestic abuse victim status

Key Provisions

  • ✓Covers employers with 4 or more employees and includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression as protected classes
  • ✓Provides a generous 365-day filing deadline with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights
  • ✓Protects domestic abuse victims from employment discrimination and provides broad remedies including punitive damages

Remedies

Back payReinstatementCompensatory damagesPunitive damagesAttorney fees and costsInjunctive relief
File with: Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights (RICHR)365 days (1 year) from the discriminatory act

Federal Laws That Apply in Rhode Island

These federal statutes protect workers nationwide, including in Rhode Island. As a deferral state, the EEOC filing deadline is extended to 300 days for most claims.

Title VII15+ employees
300 days
ADA15+ employees
300 days
ADEA20+ employees
300 days
EPA1+ employees
730 days
PDA15+ employees
300 days
PWFA15+ employees
300 days
FMLA50+ employees
730 days
FLSA1+ employees
730 days
Section 19811+ employees
1460 days
GINA15+ employees
300 days
USERRA1+ employees
— days
NLRA1+ employees
180 days
OSH Act1+ employees
30 days
WARN Act100+ employees
— days
Rehabilitation Act1+ employees
300 days
SOX Section 8061+ employees
180 days
INA Section 1324b4+ employees
180 days

Check which laws apply to your situation in Rhode Island

Our free assessment identifies applicable federal, state, and local protections based on your specific circumstances.

Check My Rights

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.Rhode Island laws are subject to legislative changes. Consult a qualified employment attorney in Rhode Island for advice about your specific situation. Last reviewed: February 2025.