Employment Agencies

Employment agencies provide employment information and work to procure employment for applicants. Employment agencies are licensed in Hawaii and must have a principal agent who is responsible for all business transactions and actions of the agency’s employees.

Among other things, employment agencies must disclose information about any fees or charges for services an applicant may be assessed and cannot charge an applicant a fee or service charge until the applicant is employed by an employer as a result of the employment agency’s efforts and receiving actual earnings from that employment.

If during the course of an investigation, it is determined that there has been an illegal collection of fees, an employment agency may be required to refund the fees.

RICO relies on information from consumers to monitor conduct in the industry and to watch for unlicensed activity. For information about filing a complaint, click on the link below or call the RICO Consumer Resource Center to speak with an intake investigator about your complaint.