Employment Laws Every Employee Should Know. 215-574-0600

Q: What Anti-Discrimination Laws Protect Philadelphia Employees?

Two layers of law apply here. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act covers employers with four or more workers, while Philadelphia's Fair Practices Ordinance reaches even smaller employers with just one employee.

Q: How Long Does an Employee Have to File a Discrimination Complaint?

Someone who believes they faced illegal discrimination generally has 180 days from the incident to file with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

Q: Does Philadelphia Have a Fair Chance Hiring Law?

Yes, and it is often called Ban the Box. This law stops most Philadelphia employers from asking about a job applicant's criminal record early in the hiring process so that a candidate's qualifications come first.

Pennsylvania workers get protection from a mix of federal-, state-, and Philadelphia-specific laws that cover wages, discrimination, leave, and workplace safety. These employment laws decide how much an employer must pay, when someone can be let go, and what options exist if a worker faces unfair treatment.

What Does At-Will Employment Mean in Pennsylvania?

At-will employment lets an employer end a job at any time, for almost any reason, without advance notice, and it lets an employee walk away just as freely. That freedom has real limits, though. An employer cannot fire someone because of race, sex, age, or disability, nor as payback for reporting illegal conduct.

What Is the Minimum Wage in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia follows the same $7.25 hourly minimum wage as the rest of Pennsylvania, since state law currently blocks cities from setting a higher local rate for private employers. Tipped workers can be paid a lower cash wage of $2.83 per hour, as long as their tips bring total pay up to the full minimum.

What Anti-Discrimination Laws Protect Philadelphia Employees?

Two layers of law apply here. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act covers employers with four or more workers, while Philadelphia’s Fair Practices Ordinance reaches even smaller employers with just one employee. The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations enforces the local law and adds protections, such as sexual orientation and gender identity, that go beyond what state law covers.

How Long Does an Employee Have to File a Discrimination Complaint?

Someone who believes they faced illegal discrimination generally has 180 days from the incident to file with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Philadelphia residents also have the option to file locally with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, though a filing with the state agency alone is generally enough to preserve a claim under Philadelphia’s local law.

Does Philadelphia Have a Fair Chance Hiring Law?

Yes, and it is often called Ban the Box. This law stops most Philadelphia employers from asking about a job applicant’s criminal record early in the hiring process so that a candidate’s qualifications come first. A background check can still happen later, once an employer has already made a conditional job offer.

What Family and Medical Leave Rights Do Employees Have?

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act offers up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for a serious health condition, a new child, or a close family member’s care. Eligibility depends on both time and size, since an employee generally needs 12 months of service at a company with 50 or more workers within 75 miles.

Are Employees Protected From Retaliation for Reporting Workplace Problems?

State and federal law both bar an employer from punishing a worker for reporting discrimination, unsafe conditions, or wage violations. Retaliation can look like a sudden demotion, a cut schedule, or a change in duties, and it remains illegal even when the original complaint does not lead to a formal finding against the employer.

Philadelphia Employment Lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green P.C. Stand Ready to Protect Your Rights

If you feel that your employee rights were violated, contact the Philadelphia employment lawyers at Sidkoff, Pincus & Green P.C. Our experienced legal team stands ready to help you. Call us at 215-574-0600 or complete our online form today for a confidential consultation. Our office is in Philadelphia, and we serve clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.