Rhode Island § 28-20-21 § 28-20-21. Discrimination on account of complaint.

Rhode Island Statutes

§ 28-20-21 — § 28-20-21. Discrimination on account of complaint.

Rhode Island § 28-20-21

Title 28Labor and Labor Relations

Ch. 28-20Division of Occupational Safety

This text of Rhode Island § 28-20-21 (§ 28-20-21. Discrimination on account of complaint.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Rhode Island primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-20-21 (2026).

Text

§ 28-20-21. Discrimination on account of complaint.
(a) No employer shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because
            the employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any
            proceeding under or related to this chapter or has testified or is about to testify
            in any proceeding; or because of the exercise by that employee on behalf of himself
            or herself or others of any right afforded by this chapter.
         
(b) Any employee who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated
            against by any person in violation of this section may, within thirty

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§ 28-20-21. Discrimination on account of complaint.

(a) No employer shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because the employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this chapter or has testified or is about to testify in any proceeding; or because of the exercise by that employee on behalf of himself or herself or others of any right afforded by this chapter.

(b) Any employee who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of this section may, within thirty (30) days after the violation occurs, file a written complaint with the director alleging the discrimination. Upon receipt of the complaint, the director shall cause any investigation to be made that he or she deems appropriate. If upon the investigation the director determines that the provisions of this section have been violated and the employer fails or refuses to take remedial action ordered by the director, he or she shall then bring an action in any superior court against that person. In any action the courts shall have jurisdiction for cause shown to restrain violations of subsection (a) of this section and order all appropriate relief including rehiring or reinstatement of the employee to his or her former position with back pay and any other benefits to which he or she was entitled.

(c) Within ninety (90) days of the receipt of a complaint filed under this subsection the director shall notify the complainant of his or her determination under subsection (b) of this section.