Here is the big picture overview of key steps to take when hiring a farm employee in Rhode Island. Write down this list for reference later. We explain each step further in the next section!

□ Pay employees the Rhode Island minimum wage

□ If you do not plan to provide overtime, verify your eligibility

□ Follow laws of payment, notice requirements, and working conditions

□ Secure a workers’ compensation policy, if required

□ Verify eligibility to work in the United States

□ Set up to withhold federal and state income taxes

□ Set up to withhold federal Social Security and Medicare contributions from the employee’s wages

□ Arrange to pay the farm’s contribution to the employee’s federal Social Security and Medicare account

□ Arrange to pay federal unemployment tax, if required

□ Arrange to pay RI Employment Security Tax, Job Development Tax, and Temporary Disability Insurance Tax