Federal law protects most employees and job applicants from discrimination based on protected characteristics. These are age, color, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), national origin, race, religion and sex. Individual states, and...
Resilience And Strength
Employment Law
Do you really have to give 2 weeks’ notice?
You know that other employees at the business where you work have often given two weeks’ notice before they quit their jobs. It is certainly common courtesy, and your employer may even have a policy stating that two weeks’ notice is preferred. The employer would like...
How the law protects certain employee activities in Hawaii
Protected activities are legal actions or complaints that employees take when they believe something wrongful is happening at work. In Hawaii, this includes reporting illegal actions by an employer, opposing discrimination, requesting reasonable accommodations or...
Accommodation denials are a common form of discrimination
Employers should judge candidates for open positions based on their performance and professional credentials. Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination against workers based on characteristics they cannot control. Businesses should not consider personal...
What if you believe you have been wrongfully terminated?
Being an at-will state, employers in Hawaii, in most cases, can terminate an employment relationship at any time without giving an employee a reason. Consequently, it can be challenging for an employee to identify illegal termination. However, if you believe your...
3 ways employers may discriminate against pregnant workers
Pregnancy is a challenging process. Women go through many physical and emotional changes as they prepare to bring new life into this world. The birth of a child is also likely to be very expensive, so most expectant mothers do not want to give up their employment...
What to do if you suspect retaliation at work
Experiencing retaliation at work can feel overwhelming and stressful. If you believe you are facing retaliatory behavior, it is essential to recognize the signs and take appropriate action to protect your rights and well-being. What are the signs of retaliation?...
Health insurance and bereavement leave in Hawaii
Hawaii has unique employment laws that greatly help workers while ensuring employers create a good work environment. Two notable benefits are the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act and the paid bereavement leave. Let’s look closely at how these two might differ from...
What constitutes wrongful termination from a job?
Employment arrangements largely exist on an at-will basis. Businesses can fire workers without advance warning and for almost any reason. Workers can leave their jobs without warning and without consequences in most cases. That being said, there are some scenarios in...
How employers may unfairly violate wage and hour laws
Employees deserve reasonable wages for the time they put in on the job. If they put in more hours than the average 40-hour week requires, then they might be eligible for overtime pay. Overtime wage laws prevent companies from abusing their workers by demanding...

