You work hard to support yourself and your family. But when an employer crosses the line—whether through discrimination, retaliation, or outright wage theft—it’s time to speak up. Your rights don’t disappear just because you’re on someone’s payroll.
You should hire an employment lawyer in Rhode Island when your employer refuses to follow the law or puts your livelihood at risk. State law gives workers strong protections, but enforcement often depends on whether you have someone in your corner.
Learn more about legal assistance in employment law cases and what a Providence labor and employment lawyer can do for you.
You’re Facing Discrimination at Work
Under both federal law and the Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act (RIFEPA), it’s illegal for employers to discriminate based on the following factors:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Age
- Disability
- National origin
Even so, discrimination still happens in hiring, promotions, layoffs, and daily workplace treatment. Discrimination doesn’t always look obvious. It might show up as being passed over for advancement despite strong qualifications, enduring comments that target your background, or facing sudden discipline after requesting accommodations.
If you’ve filed an internal complaint and nothing has changed, or the retaliation began soon after, legal help may be necessary. A lawyer can gather evidence, file a charge with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights (RICHR) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and demand accountability.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
You Were Fired for a Protected Activity
Rhode Island is an at-will employment state, but that doesn’t give companies permission to fire you for exercising your rights. Termination for reporting harassment, filing a wage complaint, taking medical leave, or participating in an investigation is retaliation, and that’s illegal.
For example, under the Rhode Island Whistleblowers’ Protection Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-50-1), it’s unlawful for an employer to discharge or threaten to discharge an employee who reports a legal violation or refuses to participate in one.
If your firing follows closely after speaking up, don’t hesitate to do something about it. The timing matters, and the longer you wait to act, the harder it becomes to prove retaliation.
You’re Not Being Paid What You’re Owed
Wage theft is one of the most common and overlooked labor violations. Rhode Island law requires employers to pay minimum wage, overtime, and earned vacation pay on time and in full. Under the Rhode Island Payment of Wages Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-14-1 et seq.), workers have a right to bring a civil action if wages are unlawfully withheld. This includes:
- Not receiving overtime for hours worked beyond 40 in a week
- Being misclassified as an independent contractor
- Having paychecks delayed, docked, or denied entirely
An employment lawyer can file a claim with the Department of Labor and Training or go straight to court, depending on the situation. In some cases, you may be entitled to double damages and attorney’s fees.
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You’ve Been Harassed at Work
Workplace harassment is more than just uncomfortable. When it’s based on a protected characteristic—like gender, race, or disability—and severe enough to affect your ability to do your job, it becomes illegal.
Sexual harassment remains one of the most reported (and under-prosecuted) forms. This includes unwanted comments, touching, or pressure from someone in a position of power. But harassment can also be verbal, visual, or psychological, and it doesn’t have to be sexual in nature to be unlawful.
Rhode Island law doesn’t require you to tolerate abuse just to keep your job. You have a right to report the behavior without fear of retaliation, and a lawyer can help protect that right if your employer refuses to act.
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You’re Being Denied Leave or Accommodations
The Rhode Island Parental and Family Medical Leave Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-48-2) grants up to 13 weeks of unpaid leave for certain medical and family reasons. Additionally, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave.
You may also have the right to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or Rhode Island’s Civil Rights of People with Disabilities law. If your employer denies leave, pressures you to return early, or fails to accommodate your medical needs, you may have grounds for legal action.
A Providence labor and employment attorney can determine if your employer’s denial violates state or federal law. They’ll help you push back against policies that keep you from protecting your health or caring for a loved one.
You’re Being Targeted for Union Activity
Rhode Island workers have the right to organize, bargain collectively, and advocate for better workplace conditions without fear. Under the National Labor Relations Act and the Rhode Island State Labor Relations Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-7-1 et seq.), it is illegal for employers to interfere with or retaliate against employees for engaging in union-related activities.
That includes:
- Disciplining or firing someone for attending a union meeting
- Threatening layoffs if workers unionize
- Interrogating employees about their union preferences
If you believe your employer is trying to silence collective action, an employment lawyer can help you file a charge and stand up for your rights alongside your coworkers.
You’re Being Treated Unfairly for Reporting Illegal Conduct
Whistleblowers often face subtle punishment: hours being cut, shifts disappearing, and responsibilities getting stripped away. These are not just workplace politics. They are tactics used to isolate and push someone out for doing the right thing.
Whether you’ve reported safety violations, unethical financial practices, or illegal discrimination, retaliation in any form is unlawful. Document what’s happening. Then, talk to a lawyer who can connect those dots and protect you from further harm.
You’re Being Pressured to Sign Something You Don’t Understand
Sometimes, legal help is necessary before anything has gone wrong. If you’ve been handed a severance agreement, non-compete, arbitration clause, or NDA—especially after being fired—don’t sign it without having a lawyer look it over.
These documents often waive important rights or limit your ability to pursue legal action. You don’t have to accept the terms without understanding what you’re giving up.
Talk to a Providence Labor and Employment Lawyer Today
Even if you’re unsure whether what’s happening at work is illegal, it’s worth speaking with someone who knows the law. A labor and employment lawyer can help you make sense of your situation and guide you toward the next step, whether that means taking legal action or documenting what’s going on for now.
You have the right to feel safe, respected, and treated fairly on the job. That’s not optional; it’s the standard every employer should meet.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we help you hold companies accountable when they fall short. If you’re ready to talk, our Providence labor and employment lawyers are here to listen. Give us a call today.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form