Important Pennsylvania Labor Laws
Many people are aware of federal laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), that regulate how employers treat their employees. Not as many people realize that many state laws and even local laws also do the same, and in some cases, provide even greater protection for workers. The attorneys at Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti, P.C., are knowledgeable about the many specific labor laws in Pennsylvania that protect workers from unfair treatment.
The attorney has assisted clients with a wide variety of cases involving Pennsylvania employment law, including those related to:
- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating in hiring, firing, and setting the terms and conditions of employment based on race, religion, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, or disability
- The Equal Pay Act, which prohibits employers from paying unequal wages based on the sex of an employee
- The Worker and Community Right-to-Know Act, which requires employers to notify employees of the presence and location of hazardous substances in the workplace and protects employees from reprisal for reporting violations
- The General Safety Law, which provides general safety and health requirements for workplaces in Pennsylvania
- The Prevailing Wage Act, which requires contractors engaged in public works to pay their workers a wage appropriate to their trade
- The Wage Payment and Collection Law, which requires employers to establish regular paydays within a reasonable time of the end of each pay period
- The Minimum Wage Act, which sets minimum pay rates and overtime rates for employees
In addition to these Pennsylvania labor laws, some local governments may impose additional requirements upon employers within their jurisdiction. These laws provide minimum standards that, in some cases, exceed those offered by similar federal legislation. Many also grant aggrieved employees the right to file an administrative complaint against their employers or to sue for damages.
Some of these laws allow a labor lawyer to seek special damages and lost wages. An experienced labor lawyer knows your rights under both state and federal law and knows which law affords the most effective protection.
Labor Lawyers Who Know How To Preserve Your Rights
Many federal and state employee rights laws require an employee to file a complaint with an administrative agency, such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), before that employee can file a lawsuit in state or federal court. These administrative agencies require claimants to adhere to unique timetables and filing requirements.
At Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti, P.C., we maintain a staff of lawyers who have experience dealing with these agencies. Our Pennsylvania employment lawyers have considerable knowledge in the latest developments in this unique area of law because employment law is the primary basis of our practice.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
Our lawyers are here to help you stand up to an unfair or discriminatory employer. Schedule your free consultation by calling our Philadelphia office now at 215-639-0801 or our New Jersey office at 609-683-4022. We are also available online.