The new Rhode Island Healthy and Safe Families Workplaces Act (“Paid Sick and Safe Leave Act”) takes effect on July 1, 2018. Click here for a detailed summary of the Paid Sick and Safe Leave Act Is your company ready to comply with this law?
Under the Paid Sick and Safe Leave Act, Rhode Island employers with eighteen (18) or more employees are required to begin to provide paid sick and safe leave to both full-time and part-time employees beginning July 1st. Employers with less than eighteen (18) employees must provide the same leave, but on an unpaid basis. Employees can use the paid sick and safe leave for their own mental or physical illness or injury, or to seek or provide care or treatment for a family member who is ill or in need of such care or treatment. The term “family member” is broadly defined to even include those not in a direct family relationship with the employee, including a person for whom the employee is responsible for arranging or providing care, and even a person that the employee lives with, even if that person is not related to or in a relationship with the employee.
The Paid Sick and Safe Leave Act also sets rules for how employees accrue sick and safe leave time and the notice that employees are required to provide the employer before using sick and safe leave.
If your company requires assistance with drafting a sick and safe leave policy, or has questions regarding compliance with the Paid Sick and Safe Leave Act, the attorneys in the AP&S Labor and Employment Law Department will be happy to assist you.
Robert P. Brooks
Michael D. Chittick
