Fair Employment Practices Act — protected classes
Rhode Island prohibits employment discrimination under the Fair Employment Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-1 et seq.). Section 28-5-7 makes it unlawful for employers to refuse to hire, discharge, or discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of race or color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin. The statute also bars harassment on these bases, retaliation against individuals who file complaints or participate in investigations, and denial of employment opportunities based on marriage to or association with an individual of a particular race, religion, national origin, or disability. The Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights enforces the Act.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-7
Employer coverage threshold — four or more employees
Rhode Island's Fair Employment Practices Act applies to employers with four or more employees. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-6(9)(i), "Employer" is defined to include the state, all political subdivisions, and any person in Rhode Island employing four or more individuals. This threshold determines which employers are subject to the Act's prohibitions on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on protected characteristics.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5-6(9)(i)