Which statement correctly describes the wage calculation for a seasonal employee?

• A. 26 weeks prior calendar year
• B. 52 weeks prior calendar year
• C. 13 weeks prior calendar year
• D. 52 weeks during calendar year

Answer: (B)

For seasonal workers, the wage base for calculating benefits uses a full, typical year of earnings. Rhode Island requires you to look at the wages earned during the prior calendar year (the entire 52 weeks before the year of the current year) and divide by 52 to determine the average weekly wage. This standardizes the calculation to reflect the worker’s usual annual pattern, avoiding distortion if the injury occurs during a high or low season.

Using the 52 weeks prior calendar year ensures the calculation isn’t driven by how many weeks the employee worked in the current year or by partial-season earnings. It’s more representative of the worker’s normal income than looking at a shorter window or only weeks within the current year.