Two revised posters informing employees of their workplace rights and responsibilities were recently released. Specifically, the Labor Standards Unit of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) updated its Minimum Wage notice to reflect a minimum wage increase from $15.00 per hour to $16.00 per hour, effective January 1st, 2026. Additionally, the DLT updated its “Notice to All Employees,” which includes information on unemployment insurance benefits, employment and training services, and temporary disability insurance (TDI) benefits. The most recent updates involve the TDI benefits portion. To avoid fines, penalties, and citations, all affected employers should post the two notices with the other Rhode Island state & federal labor law posters displayed in the workplace.
Why Did the Rhode Island Minimum Wage Increase for 2026?
As mentioned, on January 1st, 2026, the Rhode Island minimum wage increased from $15.00 per hour to $16.00 per hour. This latest increase followed legislation signed into state law in 2021. Known as RI General Law 28-12, the bill aimed to increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $11.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour on January 1st, 2025. Since the bill passed in 2021, the minimum wage increased to $12.25 per hour on January 1st, 2022; $13.00 per hour on January 1st, 2023; $14.00 per hour on January 1st, 2024; and then $15.00 per hour on January 1st, 2025.
On August 4th, 2025, Governor Dan McKee signed legislation (2025-H 5029A, 2025-S 0125A) that would increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $15.00 per hour to $17.00 per hour over two years. That increase to $17.00 per hour is scheduled to occur on January 1st, 2027.
What Are Some Exceptions to the 2026 Rhode Island Minimum Wage?
Additionally, the 2026 Rhode Island Minimum Wage poster lists the updated wage rates for specific groups that can be paid less than $16.00 per hour. They include:
- Full-time students under 19 years of age working in a non-profit religious, educational, librarial, or community services organization: $14.40 per hour (90% of the minimum wage)
- Minors 14 and 15 years of age working not more than 24 hours in a week: $12.00 per hour (75% of the minimum wage)
- Employees receiving gratuities (as of January 1st, 2017): $3.89 per hour
What Updates were Made to the TDI Benefits Portion of the “Notice to All Employees” Poster?
In Rhode Island, employees are eligible for temporary disability insurance (TDI) benefits if they become ill or injured and meet specific requirements. The updates to the notice involve the eligibility of temporary caregivers who care for those who may be eligible for TDI benefits. Such individuals could be spouses, parents, parents-in-law, siblings, grandparents, or domestic partners. Caring for seriously ill children or bonding with a newborn can also qualify an employee to receive temporary caregiver insurance (TCI) benefits.
Additionally, according to the poster update, effective January 1st, 2026, bone marrow donors can now access one week of TCI benefits, and organ donors can access 30 business days of TCI benefits. Those applying for TCI benefits, however, must meet specific requirements that have not changed.
Employer Takeaways
Employers in Rhode Island must post the revised 2026 Minimum Wage and Notice to All Employees posters to inform all affected workers of the increased minimum wage rates and the new TCI benefit provisions, both of which took effect on January 1st, 2026. These requirements are part of the state's labor laws to ensure employees know their workplace rights. Employers must post both notices in areas heavily trafficked by employees, such as a break room, hallway, or conference room.
Labor Law Posters Online's updated 2026 Rhode Island State & Federal Labor Law Poster now includes the recently released Minimum Wage and Notice to All Employees posters. Our all-on-one compliance resources are guaranteed to include all recent changes to any required state and federal notices. Current Labor Law Posters Online customers who purchased an annual poster subscription plan will automatically receive the revised notices.