Rhode Island Sick Leave Law: Accrual, Caps and Who Is Covered — Best Proven Guide (2026)

The Rhode Island sick leave law gives you 1 hour for every 35 hours worked, capped at 40 hours a year, for employers of 18 or more must pay; smaller employers provide it unpaid. This guide gives the exact rhode island sick leave law rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next.

Rules verified against Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Labor Standards on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Labor Standards or an attorney before you rely on it.

Rhode Island Sick Leave Law: The Rule

1 hour for every 35 hours worked. 40 hours a year. Covered: employers of 18 or more must pay; smaller employers provide it unpaid. The statute is R.I. Gen. Laws 28-57-1 to 28-57-14 (Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act), in effect since July 1, 2018.

What Rhode Island Sick Leave Law Lets You Use Leave For

Under Rhode Island’s Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act, workers can generally use earned leave when they are too sick or injured to work, or for routine medical care. The leave also covers dealing with the effects of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking (“safe leave”). Workers can use it to help a family member or someone in their household for any of these same reasons.

Rhode Island Sick Leave Law at a Glance

Rules verified against Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Labor Standards on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Labor Standards or an attorney before you rely on it. The statute row is where to check it yourself.

Accrual, Caps and Carryover Under Rhode Island Sick Leave Law

1 hour for every 35 hours worked; 40 hours a year. For leave planned in advance, the state generally requires the worker to give the employer notice. For emergencies, notice is due as soon as is reasonable under the employer’s policy.

An employer may ask for documentation such as a doctor’s note only after a longer absence, and may not ask for details about the illness or about the domestic violence situation.

Paid or Unpaid Under Rhode Island Sick Leave Law

The leave is paid at your regular rate for the covered employers above; smaller employers in some states must give the time unpaid.

Rhode Island Sick Leave Law and Retaliation

Rhode Island employers may not take adverse action against a worker for using, or trying to use, earned sick and safe leave. The state labor department lists denying the time, giving undesirable assignments, cutting hours and demotion as examples; workers who believe this happened can confirm their options with the Division of Labor Standards.

Local Rules and Rhode Island Sick Leave Law

Some cities add their own paid-leave ordinance on top of state law; the more generous rule applies.

Other Rhode Island Sick Leave Law Rules to Know

Whether the leave is paid depends on employer size: larger employers must pay for it, and smaller employers must provide the leave but do not have to pay for it. Some workers are excluded, including municipal, state and federal public employees. New, temporary and seasonal workers may face a waiting period before they can use the leave.

An existing paid-time-off policy can satisfy the law if it gives the same or better benefits and protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is paid sick leave required in Rhode Island?

Yes. 1 hour for every 35 hours worked.

How much sick leave do I get under Rhode Island sick leave law?

40 hours a year.

Which employers are covered by the Rhode Island sick leave law?

Employers of 18 or more must pay; smaller employers provide it unpaid.

Can I be fired for using sick leave in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island employers may not take adverse action against a worker for using, or trying to use, earned sick and safe leave.

When did the Rhode Island sick leave law take effect?

July 1, 2018.

Official Rhode Island Sources & Resources

• Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Labor Standards: https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/labor-standards
• Rhode Island statute (R.I. Gen. Laws 28-57-1 to 28-57-14 (Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act)): https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-57/INDEX.htm
• Verified source: https://marketingpreview.mercer.com/content/dam/mercer-dotcom/migrated-assets/blogs/law-and-policy/2025/07/pdf-2025-roundup-state-accrued-paid-leave-mandates.pdf
• Verified source: https://www.ep.com/legal-and-compliance/sick-and-paid-leave-laws-update/
• Verified source: https://www.hubinternational.com/en-us/hub-resources/absence-management-bulletins/2025/11/2025-2026-state-leave-law-updates/
• Verified source: https://www.postercompliance.com/blog/paid-sick-leave-laws-by-state/
• U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division — state payday requirements: dol.gov

This rhode island sick leave law guide was last verified against official Rhode Island sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.

More Rhode Island Workplace Rights Guides

• Rhode Island PTO Laws: Is Unused Vacation Paid Out?
• Rhode Island Break Laws: Meal and Rest Breaks
• Rhode Island Labor Laws: Every Rule in One Place
• Rhode Island Unemployment Eligibility: Who Qualifies
• Unemployment and Workplace Rights Guides for All 50 States

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Final-paycheck deadlines, penalties and non compete rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current rule with your state labor department or a licensed attorney before you act.