At-Will Employment in Rhode Island
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Rhode Island protects at-will employees from retaliation for jury duty and public policy violations.
How Rhode Island treats At-Will Employment
Rhode Island General Laws § 9-9-24 prohibits employers from discharging or threatening employees for jury service. The state recognizes wrongful discharge claims based on public policy, including termination for refusing illegal acts or reporting safety hazards. Rhode Island courts have also found that employee handbooks and oral promises can create enforceable employment contracts that limit at-will termination.
The general definition of At-Will Employment
An employment relationship where either party can end the job at any time without cause or notice.
At-will employment is the default employment relationship in most U.S. states. It means an employer can fire an employee for any reason (or no reason) without notice, and an employee can quit for any reason without notice. However, this freedom has limits—employers cannot fire workers for illegal reasons like discrimination, retaliation, or violation of public policy.
Read the full At-Will Employment entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.