Pennsylvania employees are granted a number of rights and protections by federal and state laws. They cover a range of issues, including wages, workplace safety, discrimination, wrongful termination, and more that statewide workplaces must abide by. While this article doesn’t cover every aspect of employee rights in Pennsylvania, our main purpose is to discuss the big issues that employees care about in the places they work.
And maybe even more importantly, we talk about what legal recourse employees have when their rights are violated.
With the help of our friends at RS Law Group in Pennsylvania, here is a simple guide covering the basics of employee law in the Keystone State:
Key Employee Rights in Pennsylvania
Wage and Hour Protections
The minimum wage set by the state is currently the same as at the federal level: $7.25 per hour. Safeguarding employee rights in Pennsylvania demands awareness, legal backing, and resources.
Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Protections
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) and federal laws, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act safeguard workers from biases linked to race, sex, and other identity facets.
Employees suffering from harassment or discrimination have recourse through the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Wrongful Termination Protections
Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state. This means that employers can fire their employees for any reason whatsoever, as long as that reason isn’t illegal. Still, there are exceptions to this rule.
Employees who have been fired for reasons that might constitute wrongful termination can, and do, frequently bring cases against their employers. This is one of the most common types of cases that the RS Law Group in Pennsylvania sees.
Workplace Safety and Health Regulations
The workplace safety regulations enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensure that the employees in this nation work in a safe environment free of hazards.
If an employee is ever in a situation where unsafe working conditions exist, they have every right to report those conditions without fearing any kind of retaliation.
Family and Medical Leave
FMLA (The Family and Medical Leave Act) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical and family reasons. For now, Pennsylvania does not have a paid family leave program, but the legislation to create one is in the works.
Legal Support and Resources
Workplace problems that some employees experience can be resolved through several legal paths, including:
- PHRC (Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission): Claims of discrimination are resolved through investigations; enforcement of state law ensures equal employment.
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Manages discrimination cases at the federal level.
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry: Manages the laws concerning wages, unemployment benefits, and regulations ensuring workplace safety.
- Organizations providing legal aid: Nonprofit groups such as Community Legal Services and the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network offer free or low-cost legal help.
- Employment Lawyers: Private attorneys who specialize in labor law can represent employees in disagreements and legal battles.
Trust RS Law Group in Pennsylvania with Your Workplace Legal Situation
Safeguarding employee rights in Pennsylvania demands awareness, legal backing, and resources. Workers who understand their rights and are aware of where to ask for assistance can ensure that they are treated fairly and that justice prevails in their workplaces.
