Hawaii employment laws deal primarily with the relationship between employers and unions. Hawaii labor and employment law education and training includes a broad range of issues, such as hiring and firing practices, medical leave, overtime, worker safety standards and wages.

Hawaii labor laws are prohibited from interfering with federal labor laws or guidelines produced by federal agencies in accordance with the National Labor Relations Act (NRLA). Employers and employees may have their relationships governed by state laws if they are not subject to the NRLA. There are three steps to learning about labor and employment laws in Hawaii:

1. Formal education. Labor lawyers in Hawaii will typically need at least a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
2. Specialization. Attorneys can choose to specialize by taking legal training that is specific to labor and employment law in Hawaii.
3. Membership in professional organizations. There are many organizations of attorneys based on an area of specialty, such as labor and employment law, that provide educational opportunities.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend a law school that specializes in labor laws in Hawaii

There are a variety of universities in Hawaii that provide training in labor and employment law, such as specific coursework, a formal concentration or legal clinics.

I recommend: The University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law includes labor and employment law in its standard curriculum. Concord Law School is an accredited college that offers a J.D. degree entirely online, which is ideal for busy employment law students in Hawaii.

Obtain Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for Hawaii labor law attorneys

Hawaii requires attorneys to stay current on changes in employment law with CLE courses. There are a variety of education and training programs in Hawaii that provide CLE credit in labor and employment law.

I recommend: The Hawai'i State Law Library System provides a specific list of CLE study aids for labor and employment law in Hawaii. DigiLearn has a complete catalog of CLE courses in Hawaii, many of which deal with Hawaii labor and employment law.

Learn through professional training associations on Hawaii labor and employment law

Professional associations frequently offer formal training such as conferences, seminars and workshops in employment and labor law. These organizations also provide more casual meetings that allow attorneys to exchange tips on building and maintaining a practice.

I recommend: The Native Hawaiian Bar Association provides legal representation for persons of Hawaiian ancestry, including the practice of labor and employment law. The Hawaii State Bar Association provides many training opportunities for labor and employment law in Hawaii.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A Hawaii labor law attorney should also be alert for educational opportunities that do not provide CLE credit, but nevertheless provide important information on labor and employment law. An event of this type might consist of watching a specific legal issue being reenacted by actors followed by a legal analysis in a relaxed atmosphere.

Employment laws in Hawaii help employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Hawaii labor and employment law helps both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment.

Hawaii labor and employment law makes working better for everyone. Labor law, though originally intended to improve working conditions for workers, boosts business owners' bottom line through increased productivity.

Hawaii labor laws deal with job safety, employee foreman ratios, break time, lunch time and safety standards within the work environment. Updated Hawaii labor laws meet the demands of new technology and constantly changing work requirements. Understand and comply with Hawaii employment laws to:

1. Adapt to changes to Hawaii labor and employment law.

2. Provide safe work environments for employees.

3. Protect your business from frivolous lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Display Hawaii employment law posters in easy to read locations around your facility

Keeping employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under employment law in Hawaii keeps them empowered. Hawaii labor law posters provide information about the latest updates or changes in labor law in Hawaii.

I recommend: GovDocs and LaborLawCenter.com carry up-to-date government recommended Hawaii employment law posters for display around your facility.

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping up-to-date on Hawaii labor laws

The only way to guard your company from frivolous lawsuits and keep employees happy is to promote a safe work environment and understand your rights as an employer. Keeping current on changes to existing laws and how they affect your particular company is vital to a healthy work environment.

I recommend: Visit the Legal References page of the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations website to find laws pertaining to workers' rights. Also, check out the site's Forms page for easy access to Hawaii labor law forms and permits.

Increase productivity by going above and beyond required state of Hawaii work laws

Hawaii employment law provides guidelines and requirements for what the state considers a safe working environment. Going above the minimum requirements to keep employees happy is a great way to increase their overall productivity.

I recommend: Visit the US Department of Labor for Hawaii labor contact information and access to labor law resources. HRhero.com is both a subscription service and free email newsletter service offering the latest updates to state-by-state employment law.

Find labor lawyers in Hawaii from HI employment law firms

Employment law attorneys from Hawaii employment law firms help clients understand Hawaii employment law. Labor lawyers in Hawaii keep clients informed and in compliance with the latest changes and updates to Hawaii employment law.

I recommend: McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP and Cades Schutte, both of Honolulu, specialize in labor and employment issues in Hawaii.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss Hawaii state employment law changes with your union representative. If you are a non-union business, be sure someone in your Human Resources Department is in charge of all employment law-related issues.
• •  Post Hawaii labor law posters anywhere employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference areas, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are great places for labor law posters.

Attorneys must stay current on Hawaii labor and employment law news and trends. This area of law can be affected by legislation and court rulings involving Hawaii labor and employment law. Hawaii has a variety of procedures and forms for dealing with matters of labor and employment law. Attorneys who practice labor and employment law also may wish to remain informed on what the general public thinks about changes in Hawaii labor and employment law.

Information on news and trends for labor laws in Hawaii may be grouped according to source, such as the following three categories:

1. Independent news sources on Hawaii labor laws. These sources include blogs, magazines and newspapers, and generally do not rely on any particular lobby group or business. They may contain hard news, as well as varied opinions, on labor and employment law.
2. State websites. These sites are the best source of official news and trends on Hawaii labor law, such as current procedures or rulings.
3. Labor and employment law attorneys. Legal professionals may be able to provide inside news and other information on labor and employment law that is not readily available elsewhere.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Study independent sources of news and trends on Hawaii employment law

News organizations frequently report on legislative updates on Hawaii labor and employment law. Individuals also may keep blogs and journals on labor law in Hawaii.

I recommend: KITV.com provides recent information on the unemployment rate in various areas of Hawaii. Hawaii Film Office has the latest information on child labor laws as they relate to the film industry in Hawaii.

Review state websites to get official news and other information on Hawaii labor and employment law

Hawaii government websites are the best places to get the latest news about Hawaii labor and employment law. A Hawaii website also may publish the state statutes to help attorneys stay informed on the latest legislation that relates to Hawaii labor and employment law.

I recommend: The State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations provides regular news updates on Hawaii labor law. The Center for Labor Education & Research at the University of Hawaii has the current labor laws in Hawaii, such as the collective bargaining laws.

Get inside news on labor law from labor lawyers in Hawaii

Hawaii employment law firms frequently have information on Hawaii law that is not available elsewhere. These attorneys may publish newsletters or full length articles on a particular aspect of labor and employment law in Hawaii.

I recommend: The Law Office of Clayton C. Ikei provides a newsletter with detailed articles on employment law in Hawaii. Davis-Levin Livingston posts regular news bulletins on labor and employment law in Hawaii.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hawaii employment laws also include protection for older workers, and the trend in these laws over time has been to protect older workers. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967 prohibits employment discrimination against employees 40 years of age or older. The ADEA was amended in 1986 and again in 1991 by the Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act.