ELA WEBINAR: MENOPAUSE – HOW IT IMPACTS THE WORKPLACE, SEPT. 17, 9-10:15AM HST
Menopause and perimenopause remain under-recognized in workplace policies, support systems, and daily culture, but understanding how they impact employee health, productivity, and retention is essential for all employers. The Employment Law Alliance (ELA) will partner with CCA, an HR consulting firm and Employee Assistance Program, and Dr. Kameelah Phillips, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and […]
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USDOL Relaunches PAID Self-Audit Program
In April 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) launched a nationwide pilot program to facilitate the resolution of potential overtime and minimum wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) without litigation. The Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program allowed employers to proactively self-audit to identify potentially non-compliant […]
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DOJ Issues Best Practices for Recipients of Federal Funding to Avoid DEI Violations
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a memo titled “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination,” offering “non-binding suggestions” to help entities minimize the risk of committing unlawful discrimination as defined by the current administration. Areas of scrutiny – and as a result, significant legal pitfalls – include: Recommendations on […]
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Hawaii Supreme Court Remands Disability Discrimination/Retaliation Case
On June 9, 2025, the Hawaii Supreme Court affirmed in part and vacated in part the First Circuit Court ruling in the case of Gima v. City and County of Honolulu(SCAP-23-0000416). The plaintiff had filed claims of disability discrimination and retaliation after her employer gave her a substandard performance evaluation and subsequently demoted her, shortly after […]
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ELA Webinar: “Immigration Challenges and Opportunities,” Aug. 26
ELA WEBINAR: IMMIGRATION CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES: NAVIGATING CHANGE IN A COMPLEX LANDSCAPE, AUG. 26, 5-6:15AM HST* Global immigration policies and practices are changing at a rapid pace in response to shifting U.S. political and economic landscapes. This webinar, presented by the Employment Law Alliance, will explore the latest immigration law trends across the U.S. and […]
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ES&A Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers 2026
ES&A President Anna Elento-Sneed, recognized by Best Lawyers since 2006, has once again been named to the annual list in the following areas in Hawaii: ES&A Director Bryan Andaya, recognized by Best Lawyers since 2025, is listed in the following area for Hawaii: ES&A Director Sam Sneed has been listed on the Ones to Watch […]
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HCRC Publishes Amended Administrative Rules
The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) amended its administrative rules Chapter 12-46 effective Nov. 19, 2024. Published on the HCRC website in July 2025, the final rules include changes to: See our previous post which discussed the amendments in detail prior to final approval; there were no substantive changes in the published version.
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Updated OSHA Penalty Guidelines
On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) updated its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalty and debt collection procedures, reducing penalties for small businesses, as well as employers with no violations within the prior 5 years, as follows: Reductions are not automatic; see the guidelines in the Penalties and Debt Collection section […]
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USDOL Ends Practice of Seeking Liquidated Damages in Wage and Hour Investigations
As stated in Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2025-3, issued June 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will no longer seek payment of liquidated damages for failure to pay minimum wage and overtime to employees in any administrative matter under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The only time WHD can seek […]
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ELA Webinar on Pay Equity, July 30
With evolving perspectives about how discrimination is being defined under the current administration, U.S. employers are wondering whether to reconsider their pay equity strategy, particularly with regards to pay audits. The Employment Law Alliance (ELA) in partnership with the Berkeley Research Group, will present a webinar on “Spotlight on Pay Equity: Compliance and Strategy Under […]
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