Blog
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
June 13th 2011June 15, 2011: City and County of Honolulu (Retaliation Laws) July 8, 2011: Better Business Bureau of Hawaii (Social Media and Employment Law)
How to Effectively Investigate Harassment Complaints
May 13th 2011Prompt, thorough and effective investigations are an integral part of a Hawaii employer’s prevention and correction of sexual and other forms of unlawful harassment in the workplace. United States Supreme Court decisions have emphasized the importance of the employer’s efforts to prevent sexually harassing behavior and promptly correct any such behavior which does occur. These [...]
Hawaii Sexual Harassment Law: Rulings Hint at Strict Liability for Supervisor Harassment
May 9th 2011Under federal Title VII law an employer is liable for actionable sexual harassment caused by a supervisor with “immediate (or successively higher) authority over the employee.” However, where the employee does not suffer a “tangible employment action,” such as discharge, demotion, or an unfavorable reassignment, there is an affirmative defense that an employer may raise [...]
Protection of Trade Secrets Under Hawaii Law
May 3rd 2011Employers provide employees with ongoing in-house and outside training and education at the Company’s expense. Employees are encouraged as part of a long-term strategy to build valuable and lasting relationships with the Company’s customers. Naturally, the employee gains access to confidential book and records, including a list of all clients, client contacts, and other confidential [...]
Hawaii Employment Law: Workers’ Compensation Basics
April 13th 2011The purpose of the Hawaii Workers’ Compensation Act, HRS Chapter 386, is to provide compensation and medical care to employees who suffer an injury or disease “arising out of and in the course of employment.” All Hawaii employers with employees must provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Employers can provide coverage by either obtaining [...]
