Rhode Island Updates to the Whistleblower Protection Act
The state of Rhode Island protects whistleblowers from retaliation through certain protections, relief and available damages for improper discharge or other discriminatory acts. Rhode Island has amended the state’s Whistleblowers’ Protection Act in several ways.
First, the term employee has been expanded to include both applicants and prospective employees. Second, the law now specifies that an employer shall not report or threaten to report an employee’s immigration status to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or any other immigration agency or law enforcement agency including local and state police. Third, the Relief & Damages section has been updated to change damages from actual to treble damages allowed. Finally, a notice requirement had already existed but now it has been specified that the notice must be posted in all languages known to be spoken by employees.
Recent Posts
-
EEOC “Know Your Rights” Poster Update Expected Following Executive Orders
Recent executive orders issued in January will require a mandatory change to the Know Your Rights wo …Aug 19th 2025 -
California Introduces New “Survivors of Violence” Notice to be Given to Employees
This new California notice became effective on July 1st, 2025 and summarizes employee rights t …Jul 9th 2025 -
NYC Employers Must Post Written Lactation Accommodation Policies by May 2025
Beginning May 11, 2025, all New York City employers will be required to both physically and electron …May 30th 2025