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Hawaii Employment Law Basics: Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Hawaii Law
January 3rd 2012Under Hawaii State law, HRS Chapter 378, sexual orientation is defined as having a preference for heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality; having a history of any one or more of these preferences; or being identified with any one or more of these preferences. Hawaii employment law expressly prohibits employment discrimination and harassment because of sexual orientation. [...]
Hawaii Employment Law Basics: Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Generally, recovery under Hawaii’s workers’ compensation law is an employee’s exclusive remedy for work-related injuries or diseases. However, an employee generally cannot sue his or her employer or a co-worker for damages resulting from occupational injuries caused by the employer’s or co-worker’s negligence. This does not necessarily preclude injuries resulting from intentional acts, for example. [...]
Hawaii’s Newest Circuit Court Judge
November 16th 2011Hawaii\'s Newest Circuit Court Judge On November 1, 2011, Karen Nakasone was sworn in as Hawaii’s newest Circuit Court judge.
Whistleblower Protection Under Hawaii Law
October 26th 2011Under Hawaii law, HRS § 378-62, an employer is prohibited from threatening to discharge, discharging, or otherwise discriminating against any employee or a person acting on behalf of the employee, who is a whistleblower. Specifically, Hawaii’s whistleblower statute provides: “§378-62 Discharge of, threats to, or discrimination against employee for reporting violations of law. An employer [...]
Safekeeping of Personnel Records
August 16th 2011Personnel and related records present risk to Hawaii employers if not stored, maintained and disposed of appropriately. Hawaii employers should designate at least three levels of security for access to employee information/records. A person receiving one or more of the three designations should be given the authorization in writing. The levels are as follows:
