Canada (EN)
Hawaii amended its Family Leave Law to add qualifying military exigency as a new reason for job-protected leave. This change aligns state law more closely with the federal FMLA and supports employees with family members in active military service.
Key updates:
- New leave category: Employees may take leave for qualifying military exigencies related to a covered family member’s active duty (child, spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, sibling, grandchild or parent).
- Leave entitlement: Eligible employees may take up to four weeks of leave per calendar year for qualifying reasons.
- Notice requirements: Employees must provide notice that is reasonable and practicable under the circumstances.
- Certification: Employers may require documentation, including official military orders.
Employer takeaways:
Employers with Hawaii employees should:
- Update internal policies, leave materials, forms and handbooks
- Train HR and managers on the new leave reason and coordination with FMLA
How Alight supports employers
Alight Leave Solutions specializes in state and federal leave of absence programs, including unpaid family and medical leave. Alight Leave Solutions monitors state leave developments and state agency guidance and will incorporate changes where they affect the administration of leave of absence.
Disclaimer
This material is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information contained in this article reflects the legislative, statutory and/or regulatory landscape as of the date of publication. Given the evolving nature of laws, regulations and interpretive and official guidance, portions of this content may no longer be current. Readers should not rely on this content as a substitute for current compliance guidance and should consult the most up-to-date statutes, regulations and guidance and/or seek legal advice before acting on any information referenced herein.
