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New Hire Notice
Effective January 1, 2026, employers with employees in Rhode Island must give employees, at the start of employment, a written notice containing employment information relating to:
- The rate or rates of pay and basis thereof, including whether the employee is to be paid by the hour, shift, day, week, salary, piece, commission, or other method, and the specific application of any additional rates;
- Allowances, if any, claimed under permitted meals and lodging;
- The employer's policy on sick, vacation, personal leave, holidays, and hours;
- The employee's employment status and whether the employee is exempt from minimum wage and/or overtime;
- A list of deductions that may be made from the employee's pay;
- The number of days in the pay period, the regularly scheduled payday, and the payday on which the employee will receive the first payment of wages earned; and
- Employer information (name, address, phone number).
Citations:
Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 28-14 Payment of Wages, §28-14-12. Employment records
Unemployment Insurance
Summary of state requirements: All employers must provide notice to separating employees of the availability of unemployment compensation at the time of the employee’s separation. Notice must be provided individually to separating employees.
Related information:
- N/A
Citations:
- Rhode Island Gen. Laws 28-42-2
Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act
Summary of state requirements: All employees employed by an employer of eighteen (18) or more employees in Rhode Island shall accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick and safe leave time for every thirty five (35) hours worked up to a maximum of twenty-four (24) hours during the calendar year of 2018, thirty-two (32) hours during calendar year 2019 and up to a maximum of forty (40) hours per year thereafter, unless the employer chooses to provide a higher annual limit in both accrual and use.
Related information:
Citations:
- RI General Law 28-57