Rhode Island Paid Sick Leave Laws

Various states, cities, and municipalities have enacted legislation requiring employers to provide paid time off (PTO) for employees to use when they are sick. Learn more about this type of leave, called paid sick leave, and what’s required in the state of Rhode Island.

What is Paid Sick Leave?

Paid sick leave is a benefit that allows employees to take time off from work due to illness, injury, or other health-related issues without foregoing pay. The purpose of paid sick leave is to ensure that employees can recover from illness without the financial pressure of losing income. It also helps prevent the spread of contagious diseases in the workplace by encouraging sick employees to stay home.

There are no federal laws in place that mandate the provision of paid sick leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows qualified employees to take unpaid leave for certain health conditions.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) enacted temporary requirements for certain employers, granting up to two weeks of paid sick leave to employees who couldn’t work due to COVID-19 (diagnosis, symptoms, required quarantine, etc.) However, this legislation expired at the end of 2020.

Does Rhode Island Have Paid Sick Leave Laws That Differ from Federal Paid Sick Leave Laws?

Yes, there is a law in place that mandates eligible employers to provide paid sick leave to qualified employees. It falls under the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act, which went into effect on July 1, 2018.

Are There Requirements to be Eligible for Paid Sick Leave in Rhode Island?

Most employees working for employers with 18 or more employees are eligible for earned sick leave.

Is There a Minimum Amount of Paid Sick Time Required in Rhode Island?

The accrual rate for paid sick leave in Rhode Island is 1 hour for every 35 hours worked, totaling up to 40 hours in a year.

Employers may frontload 40 hours of sick time at the start of the year.

What Can PSL be Used for in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, eligible employees may use their paid sick time to care for their own injury, illness, or need to seek treatment or preventive care. They can also use it to care for sick or injured family members.

The also stipulates that paid sick leave may be used to cover work time missed due to violence, stalking, or sexual assault suffered by the employee or their family member

Is Paid Sick Leave Required to be Carried Over Each Year in Rhode Island?

Yes, eligible employers are required to offer the option to carry over up to 40 hours to the next year. However, employers using the frontload method (rather than the accrual method) aren’t required to carry over sick leave time.

Is Paid Sick Leave (PSL) Different from Paid Time Off (PTO) in Rhode Island?

Paid time off is not a required benefit in Rhode Island. Paid sick leave is required of employers with 18+ employees in the state.

Common Rhode Island Paid Sick Leave Laws FAQs

How much paid sick leave am I entitled to take and be paid for in Rhode Island?

If you work for an employer with at least 18 employees, you are entitled to earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours worked, totaling up to 40 hours in a year.

Does paid sick leave apply to all employees who work in Rhode Island?

Paid sick leave applies to most employees working for employers with 18 or more employees in the state.

Which employees are exempt or partially exempt from the paid sick leave law in Rhode Island?

The following employees are not covered under Rhode Island’s paid sick leave law:

• Government employees (local, state, and federal)
• Independent contractors
• Per diem nurses who work at healthcare facilities and are under no obligation to work a regular schedule (and earn a higher rate of pay than others working a regular schedule and performing the same job)

Do I have to notify my employer before taking sick leave in Rhode Island?

The requirement to notify an employer before taking sick leave is based on company policy.

Can I be disciplined for taking a sick day or using paid sick leave in Rhode Island?

The law protects employees from retaliation by their employer for using paid sick leave. However, you must comply with your company’s policy around notifying the employer and providing required documentation. Employees found to be misusing paid sick leave or violating company rules may face discipline.

WorkforceHub, a time and labor platform, can help your company manage any requirements associated with accruals. Learn more and try it for free today.

Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training

Rhode Island Paid Sick and Safe Leave