Rhode Island Publishes New Pay Equity Notice and Increases Minimum Wage; Updated EEOC Workplace Discrimination Poster

State Update Overview

In January 2023, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training published a new notice regarding the Pay Equity Act and announced an increase to the state minimum wage.

Rhode Island Pay Equity Act Notice

• New notice informing employees of the Pay Equity Act which prohibits an employer from paying a differential wage based on protected characteristics, imposes restrictions on wage inquiries, and prohibits an employer from restricting wage discussions among employees
• Discriminatory or disciplinary action taken against an employee for exercising their rights under the Pay Equity Act is unlawful

Rhode Island Minimum Wage Law Update

• Minimum wage increased to $13.00 per hour effective January 1, 2023

Wage and Hour Exemptions

Employees may be exempt from wage and hour laws based on criteria associated with their salary, actual duties, and skills. Exempt employees neither receive overtime pay nor qualify for minimum wage. Rhode Island labor law defines these exemptions based on Executive, Administrative, or Professional status. Learn more here.

In October 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published a revised Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal poster.

Federal EEOC Workplace Discrimination Law Update

• Revised poster includes additional information regarding who is protected, covered organizations, types of illegal employment discrimination, and types of employment practices that can be challenged as discriminatory.
• Clarified process to file a discrimination complaint through the EEOC including updated websites and new phone number
• Added QR code
• Newly added information for the federal Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program and coverage of employees of a company with a federal contract or subcontract
• Clarified process to report a contractor who has violated its nondiscrimination or affirmative action obligations under OFCCP’s authorities
• Added access information for telecommunications relay services

Rhode Island Labor Law Poster Update

All businesses within the State of Rhode Island must display the Pay Equity Act, Minimum Wage, and federal EEOC Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal posters along with other state-mandated posting requirements where they are sufficiently accessible and viewable to all employees. This change has been reflected in our Rhode Island & Federal Labor Law Poster and does require an immediate mandatory update. Failure to meet compliance requirements and display the updated poster could result in fines.

Order the Rhode Island Labor Law Poster to immediately include this required update.