Coke Bottler Violated Hawaii Law by Replacing Worker on Leave

Hawaii labor officials properly found that a Coca-Cola bottling company discriminated against a worker by permanently filling her job while she was on injury leave, the state’s top court ruled.

Hawaii Revised Statutes § 378-32(2) prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee who suffers a workplace injury. But discrimination isn’t defined in the statute, the Hawaii Supreme Court said June 10. The state’s top court, after finding the meaning of the term unclear, looked to the law’s legislative history to define it and, after doing so, reinstated Tammy Josue’s bias claims.

The various committee reports showed that BCI Coca-Cola Bottling ...