Rhode Island - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In Rhode Island, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.

Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.

Unless there is a contract or collective bargaining agreement between the employee and employer that provisions otherwise, the employer shall not be responsible to pay to the employee any compensation for absence due to jury duty.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of Rhode Island for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.

An employee may not lose their position, wage increases, promotions, longevity benefit, or any other emolument from their employment by reason of being called to serve jury duty.

You should be sure to show your employer your Rhode Island jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.

An employer taking any adverse action will be guilty of misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment up to 1 year, or both.

If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.