Trade Licensing Application Portal The portal is back online and test results can now be accessed here: Application Status
Disaster Unemployment Assistance for the 9/10/2023 Severe Storm Individuals who worked or lived in Providence County and experienced a loss of employment or self-employment as a direct result of the 9/10/23 severe storm that brought flooding and tornadoes to Rhode Island may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Click here to learn more. --- Asistencia de desempleo por desastre: las personas que trabajaron o vivieron en el condado de Providence y experimentaron una pérdida de empleo o trabajo por cuenta propia como resultado directo de la tormenta severa del 10 de septiembre de 2023 que provocó inundaciones y tornados en Rhode Island pueden ser elegibles para recibir Asistencia de desempleo por desastre. Haga clic aquí para obtener más información.
Misclassification Of Employees As Independent Contractors The misclassification of workers as independent contractors rather than employees is a serious problem in Rhode Island and across the country. To report misclassification, call (401) 574-8477 or fill out the form below. If an employer retains the right to control what will be done and how it will be done, the individual is likely performing services as an employee. Report Misclassification Form PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes This form can be emailed to philip.l.dambra@dlt.ri.gov. Why is employee misclassification a problem? When employers misclassify workers They avoid paying many state and federal taxes. They avoid providing workers compensation coverage for their employees. They may fail to follow wage, contractor registration or other labor laws. They have a competitive advantage and may underprice legitimate employers. The Federal Government Accountability Office reports that the underpayment of unemployment, Social Security, income taxes, and workers' compensation are exceeding billions of dollars federally and millions of dollars at the state level. Rhode Island employers must generally withhold state and federal income taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and pay unemployment taxes on wages paid to employees. They must also pay Workers' Compensation premiums on the employees. An employee is anyone performing service for an employer who controls what will be done and how it will be done by the worker. Independent Contractors have an independent trade, business or profession. Their services are offered to the public and they have the right to control the means and methods of how the work is performed. Worker Misclassification Fact Sheet PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes About the Task Force Article 8 of the FY15 state budget established the Task Force on the Underground Economy and Employee Misclassification to enhance collaboration between government agencies focused on protecting Rhode Island’s workforce and ensuring a level playing field for businesses in our state. The task force is charged with: Fostering voluntary compliance with the law by educating business owners and the workforce about properly classifying workers and applicable requirements; Protecting the health, safety and benefit rights of workers, and Restoring competitive equality for law-abiding businesses. The task force Task Force has representation from: Dept. of Labor and Training Division of Taxation Dept. of Business Regulation Division of Workforce Regulation and Safety RI Attorney General RI Dept. of Public Safety Workers’ Compensation Court Publications 2021 & 2022 Misclassification Annual Report PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes 2018 Worker Misclassification Annual Report PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes 2017 Worker Misclassification Annual Report PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes 2016 Worker Misclassification Annual Report PDF file, about 2mbmegabytes 2015 Worker Misclassification Annual Report PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Links Connecticut Joint Enforcement Commission for Worker Misclassification Maine Worker Misclassification Massachusetts Joint Task Force on the Underground Economy and Employee Misclassification New Hampshire Task Force on the Misclassification of NH Workers Vermont Misclassification New York Employer Misclassification of Workers US Dept. of Labor Misclassification