Rhode Island Certain Agreements Unlawful as Condition of Employment

Effective June 22, 2023, employers can’t require their employees to sign any of the following types of agreements as a condition of employment:

• A nondisclosure agreement requiring alleged civil rights violations be kept confidential, secret, and undisclosed;
• A nondisparagement agreement about alleged civil rights violations or alleged unlawful conduct that would restrict an employee from negatively talking about their employer, including statements about the employer’s reputation, products, services, employees, and management; or
• An agreement with a nondisclosure or nondisparagement clause.

 

Any contract provision that violates these restrictions is void and unenforceable.