Requesting The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission And Executive Office On Aging To Study The Prevalence Of Age Discrimination In Hiring Applicants Over The Age Of Sixty.
The resolution emphasizes the need for a comprehensive analysis of discriminatory practices affecting older workers. This includes a review of current labor market barriers that older applicants face, along with suggestions on how to mitigate age discrimination. The findings and recommendations will be submitted to the legislature, which could lead to potential legislative changes aimed at improving employment opportunities for Hawaii's older population.
HCR129 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii. It seeks to address the issue of age discrimination in hiring practices specifically targeting applicants over the age of sixty. The resolution requests the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and the Executive Office on Aging to study the prevalence of such discrimination and identify barriers that prevent older individuals from entering or reentering the workforce. This initiative is prompted by data indicating that older applicants often face lower callback rates in hiring processes, suggestive of systemic biases against them based on age.
One notable aspect of HCR129 is its focus on the challenges related to the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in hiring, which are often hard to prove when it comes to age bias. The resolution draws from various studies and expert testimonies that indicate hiring discrimination against older individuals occurs predominantly at the screening phase of the employment process, making it challenging for victims to seek legal recourse. Additionally, the resolution looks to Connecticut’s recent legislative efforts as a model for potential reforms in Hawaii.
The resolution also calls for the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and Executive Office on Aging to propose potential legislation to protect older individuals from hiring discrimination. This proactive approach signifies Hawaii's commitment to enhancing civil rights protections for all residents, particularly the elderly, ensuring their dignity and opportunity for employment are upheld in state law.