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State House Unveils Workplace Harassment Policy

Wayne Yoshioka

The State House of Representatives updated its new workplace harassment policy.

Credit Wayne Yoshioka
House Speaker Scott Saiki

House Speaker Scott Saiki announced the completion of the new policy which includes sexual harassment and bullying.  It also expands coverage and reporting procedures.

“The new policy applies to third parties who conduct business in the House and provides victims with options on where to report their complaints.  So that would include not just the chief clerk and the speaker but also the Hawai’i Civil Rights Commission and the EOC as well as federal or state court.”

A 3-member advisory group consisting of volunteers from outside of the Legislature drafted the new workplace harassment policy.  But, investigations and findings will be considered personnel matters and will remain confidential unless a House member is censured or expelled or the case goes to court.   Former House Speaker Joe Souki admitted to sexual harassment last year but resigned before an investigation or disciplinary actions.  House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti.

Credit Wayne Yoshioka
House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti

“ As complaints come in, they would be handled in a confidential manner where complainants will be given guidelines and a timeframe.  And, they have clear reporting mechanisms if the complaint against the speaker so that the can be safe going to the vice speaker and have an investigation come back.  So the test of this policy is going to be on what happens moving forward.”

All House members and staff will attend mandatory training Tuesday and members will vote on the new policy as early as January 23rd.  House Speaker Saiki says, if approved, the policy will be implemented immediately.

“The prior policy was one page long.  This policy is 4 pages long.  So we just want this policy to be broader and clearer and provide more specificity on what kind of conduct is prohibited. “ 

For HPR News, I’m Wayne Yoshioka. 

Wayne Yoshioka
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
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