§ 23-1.1-14. Discrimination on account of complaint. (a) No employer shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because that employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this chapter or has testified or is about to testify in any proceeding or because of the exercise by that employee on behalf of himself or herself or others of any right afforded by this chapter.

(b) Any employee who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by any employer in violation of this section may, within thirty (30) days after a violation occurs, file a written complaint with the director of labor and training alleging discrimination. Upon receipt of a complaint, the director of labor and training shall cause an investigation to be made as he or she deems appropriate. If upon that investigation, the director of labor and training determines that the provisions of this section have been violated, and the employer fails or refuses to take remedial action as ordered by the director of labor and training, the director of labor and training shall then bring an action in any superior court against that person. In that action, the courts shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown, to restrain violations of subsection (a) of this section and order all appropriate relief including rehiring or reinstatement of the employee to his or her former position with back pay and any other benefits to which he or she was entitled.

(c) Within ninety (90) days of the receipt of a complaint filed under this section, the director shall notify the complainant of his or her determination under subsection (b) of this section.

History of Section. (P.L. 1973, ch. 261, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 54, § 5.)