(a) An employer shall not discharge, threaten, or otherwise take any adverse action against an employee regarding the employee’s compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of employment:
- (1) When an employee has been duly served with a subpoena, to give evidence or testify before any court, within or without the state of Rhode Island, or before any judicial, quasi-judicial, or other administrative body or entity with the authority to issue subpoenas.
- (2) When the employee, upon being duly served with a properly issued subpoena, promptly provides notice to their employer of being served and of the requirement to attend court or other duly constituted hearing.
- (b) Any employer who violates this section may be liable for damages which may include actual damages, compensatory damages, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the employee.
- (c) Any cause of action under this section shall be commenced within three (3) years from the date of violation.
- (d) Nothing herein shall prevent an aggrieved employee from pursuing any other cause of action under federal or state law.
- (e) Nothing herein shall require an employer to compensate an employee for time missed from work for complying with a subpoena.
History of Section.
P.L. 2016, ch. 48, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 51, § 1.