Rhode Island Expands Workplace Protections to Include Menopause
Rhode Island has become the first state in the nation to define menopause as a protected class under its Fair Employment Practices Act (RIFEPA). The new amendment requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees experiencing menopause, perimenopause, or related medical conditions.
What Employers Should Know:
- Update policies: Review employee handbooks and anti-discrimination policies to reflect menopause as a protected class.
- Train managers and HR: Ensure staff understand the RIFEPA and ADA interactive process for accommodation requests.
- Prepare for accommodation requests: Expect increased requests for flexible scheduling or environmental adjustments.
Federal Updates on Joint Employer and Independent Contractor Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued two significant updates under the Trump Administration that impact how employers determine joint employment and classify independent contractors.
What Employers Should Know:
- Businesses with overlapping management or shared operations should review potential joint employer risks.
- Employers using independent contractors should continue applying the current “economic realities” framework and prepare for updated DOL guidance in 2026.
Learn more in the full advisory, here.
