A Hawaiian employer got a restraining order on her spouse and was fired from her job. Why? Probably because of possible complications involving her presence at the workplace and the increased possibility of workplace violence. I am guess here, mind you.
But now Hawaii has passed a law protecting employees from being fired for being involved in domestic violence issues. According to the article in The Maui News…”
he law adds domestic or sexual violence victim status to the types of discrimination outlawed in some employment situations, including hiring and firing. The law applies if an employer has been told or knows that someone is a victim of domestic violence.
It’s already illegal for employers to refuse to hire or to fire people based on race, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, arrest and court record.”
Employers inc compliance with the law must make “reasonable accommodations” in the workplace for employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence. The list of accommodation includes screening an employee’s telephone calls, reassigning and restructuring job functions, changing a work location, installing locks and other security devices, and allowing for flexible work hours. Employers aren’t required to make the accommodations if they cause “undue hardship” on business operations. So that part is nebulous.
However, it is a good law and goes a substantial way in assisting those employees, usually women, who are victimized by domestic violence. The victim is most vulnerable at this juncture. Not only is she concerned with being injured or killed, the victim is cornered with paying the rent and feeding the kids if she has to move out on abusive spouse or lover.
