Pay transparency and salary history bans - Rhode Island

Pay transparency

Rhode Island state law requires employers to provide the wage range for a position upon an applicant's request. Even when not requested, employers must provide the salary range of a job before discussing compensation with a candidate. Employers must provide a salary range for a current employee’s position to the employee upon request. The law applies to all Rhode Island employers.

Salary history

Employers in Rhode Island may not seek the wage history of an applicant for employment. Employers may not rely on an applicant’s wage history when deciding whether to consider the applicant for employment, or when determining the applicant’s rate of pay upon hire. After an initial employment offer has been made that includes an offer of compensation, an applicant may volunteer wage history in order to support a wage offer higher than the wage initially offered by the employer.

Related information

• Equal Pay Act – Rhode Island
• Employment Applications - Rhode Island

Citations

• R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-6-22 (Fair Employment Practices)
• 29 CFR 1620, The Equal Pay Act
• 29 CFR 1621, Procedures — The Equal Pay Act