Labor Standards
The Labor Standards Unit enforces workplace laws and ensures that Rhode Island's employees receive the wages they have earned. Labor Standards investigates wage complaints involving minimum wage, payment of wages, overtime, Sunday/holiday premium pay, and vacation pay upon termination, as well as child labor, parental and family medical leave, and industrial homework.
Read the Guide to Wage and Workplace Laws in Rhode IslandRI Minimum Wage
As of 10/1/2020 RI Minimum Wage is
$11.50/hr
Legal Holidays in RI
The following are legal holidays in Rhode Island:
- New Year's Day - January 1
- Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
- Independence Day - July 4
- Victory Day - 2nd Monday in August
- Labor Day - 1st Monday in September
- Columbus Day - 2nd Monday in October
- Veterans Day - November 11
- Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November
- Christmas Day - December 25
Child Labor Laws
There are state, as well as federal laws, that regulate the employment of minors. The following provides information about the hours and types of occupations that minors may work and explains how to obtain the permits and certificates needed to comply with the laws. Following the rules and restrictions ensures that Rhode Island's youth are able to work and earn in safe environments while furthering their education and gaining work experience.
Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act
As of July 1, 2018, most RI employees have the legal right to earn sick and safe leave from work per RI General Law § 28-57. The Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act gives Rhode Island employees the right to take time off from work to care for themselves when they are too sick to work, are injured or have a routine medical appointment. They may also use earned leave to deal with the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. In addition, earned leave may be used to assist their child, spouse, domestic partner or other member of their household for the same purposes.
Under the law, Rhode Island employers with 18 or more employees will be required to offer paid sick and safe leave. Employers with fewer than 18 employees must provide sick and safe leave time, although it does not need to be paid. Covered employees may take up to 40 hours of leave.
Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act FAQ
Forms and Resources
- Healthy and Safe Fact Sheet
- Hoja informativa de la ley Healthy and Safe
- Do I Qualify?
- ¿Califico?
- Non-Payment of Wages Complaint Form (Español)