Rhode Island Discrimination Law

March 3rd, 2010 Posted by Derrick

A recent change to the Rhode Island means that an employer can be sued three years later, if an employee feels he or she has been the victim of . The new law goes into effect immediately.

 

Under the previous law, there was a one-year statute of limitations on employment discrimination.

 

The legislature passed the amendment over Governor Donald Carcieri ‘s veto.

 

The Rhode Island Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on color, race, religion, disability, sex, age or national origin. It outlaws employment discrimination and retaliation.

 

This extension overturns a Rhode Island Supreme Court ruling in Horn v. Southern Union, which established a (more…)

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Job Discrimination Law Regulations in Rhode Island (RI)

September 20th, 2006 Posted by Rachel

As a citizen you are afforded basic rights and liberties and these should be protected in the workplace as well. You should be free to seek employment or to work in an environment absent of harassment or based on personal traits or characteristics. Everyone should have equal rights and opportunities in the workplace. There are federal laws in place which protect such rights and many states have their own laws as well. Many states establish an agency or department specifically to deal with harassment and . (RI) Job Discrimination in the Workplace is protected by such an agency.

In Rhode Island, The Commission for Human Rights or RICHR is the primary agency responsible for enforcing laws in the state. The agency has the power to enforce the law in employment, housing, public accommodations and credit. When it comes to employment, race, color, country of ancestral origin, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), age, physical disability, mental disability, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression are the areas protected by the law. In addition to state anti discrimination statutes the Commission maintains agreements with the federal government and can investigate specific cases under both jurisdictions. Through an agreement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission they can enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age discrimination in Employment Act and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Rhode Island (RI) Job Discrimination Law in the Workplace is known as the Fair Employment Practices Act. The law covers such issues as harassment, hiring, promotion, salary, terms and conditions, and termination. The law also prohibits retaliation against people who bring charges, assist in investigations or oppose unlawful employment practices. Companies of four or more employees are covered by this act; the act covers both private and public sector employees.

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Discrimination Poster Regulations for Rhode Island (RI) Employers

August 27th, 2006 Posted by Derrick

I would like to take a few minutes and discuss the state posters with you. These posters are required by to be displayed in places of employment. It’s also a requirement that the state discrimination posters be placed in an area where employees are known to gather. The posters should be visible and free of any obstructions.

The Rhode Island state discrimination posters let employees know what type of treatment is considered illegal. Rhode Island basically follows the United States laws but they have added to the federal laws with their own state laws. No worker can be discriminated against because of his/her race, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, ancestral origin, gender identity or expression, color, or physical or mental disabilities. Workers are also protected from any type of retaliation for speaking out against or filing a complaint dealing with acts of discrimination.

It is the employee’s responsibility to know where the Rhode Island state discrimination posters are located. It’s also the employee’s responsibility to know what information is on the poster and to protect him/herself from illegal discrimination.

If a person feels he/she has been discriminated against, that person should file a complaint with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. The complaint must be filed within one year. It will take a significant amount of time for the Commission to investigate the complaint. There is no fee for filing a discrimination complaint.

Employers must make sure that they are familiar with both the federal and state laws regarding the Rhode Island state discrimination posters. The law dictates the exact information that must be included on the poster and the types of places where the posters must be displayed. Failure to comply with the law will result in the employers being fined and/or penalized.

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