What Action Can I Take If I Feel I Have Been Discriminated Against?

Home English FAQs Labor and Employment Hawaii

What Action Can I Take If I Feel I Have Been Discriminated Against?

The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission was established to provide a mechanism for the uniform enforcement of Hawaii's antidiscrimination statutes including part I of HRS 378, the Hawai'i Employment Practices Act. HEPA covers all employers in the State except the federal government. Part I makes unlawful actions taken or not taken because of or in relation to: race, sex, age, religion, color, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or arrest and court record, assignment of income for child support obligations, and National Guard participation. It is unlawful discrimination under the Part I for an employer to refuse to hire, employ, bar or discharge, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual in compensation or in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Likewise, employment agencies may not classify or refuse to refer or otherwise discriminate or advertise in a way that expresses, directly or indirectly, any limitation, specification, or unlawful discrimination. Nor may a labor union exclude or expel from its membership or refuse to enter into an apprenticeship agreement with anyone (16 years or older) in a discriminatory manner. If you have been discriminated against in the above manner, the time limit to file a charge with the Civil Rights Commission is 180 days. This time period starts from the commission of an alleged discriminatory act. Employees who are victims of sexual harassment or sexual assault are exempt from the 180day statute of limitations for filing with HCRC, providing two years to bring civil action against their employers. The claim filing procedure is as follows: You fill out the applicable info@hicrc.org, or On O'ahu call 5868640 From Neighbor Islands, call 18004684644 (ext 68640)

Other Hawaii Labor and Employment FAQs

Q: Are There Restrictions On The Hours That A Minor May Work?
A: Minors 14 and 15 years of age may work: Between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (except each year from June 1 through the day before Labor Day a minor may work between 6:00 … More
Q: How Do I File For Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
A: You can file a new claim for unemployment insurance benefits, reopen an existing claim, and claim weekly benefits by calling the telephone filing system, "Hawaii … More
Q: How Do I Qualify For Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
A: To qualify monetarily for unemployment insurance, you must be paid sufficient wages in your base period. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed … More
Q: How Much Money Can I Receive In Unemployment Benefits?
A: If you meet the minimum qualifying wages, then your weekly benefit amount will equal 1/21 of your high quarter wages. However, your weekly benefit amount cannot be … More
Q: Are Unemployment Benefits Taxable?
A: Any unemployment insurance benefits you receive are taxable income. You will be issued Form 1099G at the end of January showing the amount of benefits paid to you. … More
Q: What Can I Do If I Am Denied Benefits?
A: If you have been denied benefits, you can either request reconsideration or file an appeal. Your request must be in writing, either on a department form or by letter, … More
Q: What Is The Tax Rate For A New Employer?
A: The contribution rate for new or newly covered employers will be 2.4% for the year 2002. Thereafter, employers are advised of their individual contribution rate in … More
Q: How Do I Register As An Employer With The Unemployment Insurance Division?
A: An employer must file Form UC1, Report to Determine Liability Under the Hawaii Employment Security Law with the Unemployment Insurance Division within twenty … More
Q: When Do I File The Tax Reporting Forms?
A: The Quarterly Wage, Contribution and Employment and Training Assessment Report (UCB6) must be filed on or before the last day of the month following the close of … More
Q: What is the minimum wage in Hawaii?
A: The minimum wage in Hawaii is currently $7.25 per hour. Workers who are exempt from the minimum wage law are those at a guaranteed monthly salary of $2000 per month; … More