Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 28-20 - Division of Occupational Safety
Section 28-20-21. - Discrimination on account of complaint.

§ 28-20-21. Discrimination on account of complaint.
(a) No employer shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because the employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this chapter or has testified or is about to testify in any proceeding; or because of the exercise by that employee on behalf of himself or herself or others of any right afforded by this chapter.
(b) Any employee who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any person in violation of this section may, within thirty (30) days after the violation occurs, file a written complaint with the director alleging the discrimination. Upon receipt of the complaint, the director shall cause any investigation to be made that he or she deems appropriate. If upon the investigation the director determines that the provisions of this section have been violated and the employer fails or refuses to take remedial action ordered by the director, he or she shall then bring an action in any superior court against that person. In any action the courts shall have jurisdiction for cause shown to restrain violations of subsection (a) of this section and order all appropriate relief including rehiring or reinstatement of the employee to his or her former position with back pay and any other benefits to which he or she was entitled.
(c) Within ninety (90) days of the receipt of a complaint filed under this subsection the director shall notify the complainant of his or her determination under subsection (b) of this section.
History of Section.P.L. 1973, ch. 260, § 2.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations

Chapter 28-20 - Division of Occupational Safety

Section 28-20-1. - Definitions.

Section 28-20-2. - Division of occupational safety.

Section 28-20-2.1. - Video display terminals — Informational brochure — Training programs.

Section 28-20-3. - Annual report.

Section 28-20-4. - Chief of division — Administrator of occupational safety and health — Compliance inspectors.

Section 28-20-4.1. - Adoption of regulations pertaining to HIV and hepatitis.

Section 28-20-5. - Devotion to duties — Assignment of compliance inspectors — Other employment.

Section 28-20-6. - Appropriations.

Section 28-20-7. - Applicability and reports of places of business.

Section 28-20-8. - Employer’s duties.

Section 28-20-9. - Employee’s duties.

Section 28-20-10. - Applicability to state and municipal employees.

Section 28-20-11. - Recordkeeping requirements.

Section 28-20-12. - Inspection powers.

Section 28-20-13. - Inspection of violations.

Section 28-20-14. - Procedures to counteract imminent dangers.

Section 28-20-15. - Prosecution of violations.

Section 28-20-16. - Compliance orders.

Section 28-20-17. - Enforcement procedure.

Section 28-20-18. - Penalties.

Section 28-20-19. - Occupational safety and health review board.

Section 28-20-20. - Judicial review.

Section 28-20-21. - Discrimination on account of complaint.

Section 28-20-22. - Code commission for occupational safety and health — Composition, appointment, terms, and removal of members.

Section 28-20-23. - Compensation of commission members — Assistance — Appropriations.

Section 28-20-24. - Power to adopt codes — Advisory committees — Conformance with national standards.

Section 28-20-25. - Hearing on codes.

Section 28-20-26. - Effective date of codes and changes.

Section 28-20-27. - Publication of codes and changes — Posting of lists — Notice to employees.

Section 28-20-28. - Temporary codes.

Section 28-20-29. - Granting of variances — Statement of reasons for various actions by director.

Section 28-20-30. - Judicial review of code provisions.

Section 28-20-31. - Notice of judicial review — Rules of practice.

Section 28-20-32. - Confidentiality of trade secrets.

Section 28-20-33. - Other safety and health laws unimpaired.

Section 28-20-34. - Severability.

Section 28-20-35. - [Repealed.]