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Rhode Island (RI) Labor and Employment Laws

September 21st, 2006 Posted by Marilyn

There are laws in place in Rhode Island governing all aspects of employment from recruitment and hiring to termination and even unemployment. These include wage and hour laws such as payment of wages, minimum wage, overtime, child labor, and prevailing wage rates and the family leave act; discrimination laws, workers compensation laws and labor standards and safety laws. For the most part these laws benefit the employee.

If you are an hourly employee, the Rhode Island (RI) Labor and Employment Laws state that you should be paid on a weekly basis. Every employer should establish a regular payday and inform their employees of this date. The minimum wage in Rhode Island is well above the federal minimum at $7.10 per hour. Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.89 per hour with the amount of tips bringing the hourly rate up to at least that of minimum wage for all hours worked. Unless an employee is exempt overtime should be paid at a rate of one and a half times the regular rate for all hours worked in excess of forty. In some cases employers are required to pay overtime for working on a Sunday. Rhode Island is one of few states that recognizes federal holidays and requires that workers be compensated at a higher rate if they must work.

Child labor and safety are an important part of Rhode Island (RI) Labor and Employment Laws. Work permits are required for those who are 14 and 15, and a certificate of age must be on file for 16 and 17 year olds in the workplace. There are prohibited occupations for minors and the number of hours they may work is limited. All employers, with the exception of independent contractors and sole proprietors must carry Workers Compensation Insurance. Employers are expected to maintain a safe workplace and employees should be made aware of all safety regulations and potential hazards.