Hawaii - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In Hawaii, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.

Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.

No law in Hawaii requires employers to pay employees while serving jury duty. Company policies may entitle a prospective juror to paid leave, and many employers elect to pay wages.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of Hawaii for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.

An employer may not discharge, or threaten or otherwise coerce an employee who receives a summons, responds thereto, serves as a juror, or attends court for prospective jury service.

You should be sure to show your employer your Hawaii jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.

Employer found threatening, discharging, or coercing an employee will be guilty of petty misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 30 days’ imprisonment.

Within 90 days from the date of discharge, the employee may bring a civil action for recovery of wages lost and for reinstatement. Damages recoverable shall not exceed lost wages for six weeks. Successful employee allocated reasonable attorney's fee fixed by the court

If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.