When you arrive to work each day, you have the right to a safe environment. Regular exposure to excessive hazards can compromise your health, interfere with your productivity and threaten your life. If your employer ignores reports of a hazard after you have notified...
Does Pennsylvania’s whistleblower law apply to you?
When you work for a publicly funded company and become aware of wrongdoing on the part of your employer, you have a right to call attention to what is happening without fearing retaliation. Pennsylvania has a whistleblower law in place that protects you against...
State laws for wage and breaks
The state of Pennsylvania has laws for employers regarding the minimum hourly wage they must pay their employees. It also outlines certain breaks the employer must allow. Workers should understand what the laws are so that they know if they are receiving what the law...
Understanding sexual orientation discrimination
Along with prohibiting workplace discrimination due to race, religion, nationality, disability and age, there are federal laws that prohibit discrimination related to sex, which includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Along with federal laws, some states and...
An employee’s rights under FMLA
There are times when an employee may have a serious medical condition that makes it impossible to work. An employee may also need to take time off of work to care for a family member. If an employee works for a company that employs a certain number of people, the...
The meaning of wrongful termination
If your employer fired you from your position, you may be experiencing a variety of emotions. You maybe know why the firing occurred, or you may not understand why. The way that the state of Pennsylvania works, employers can fire an employee for almost any reason....
Understanding a pregnant woman’s rights regarding employment
Pregnant women may be more hesitant to apply for a new job or tell their current employers that they are with child, for fear of discrimination. However, there are federal and state laws that prevent employers from discriminating against pregnant women. As long as...
How to report sexual harassment
For many people, reporting unwanted sexual behavior is challenging, and this is especially true when it occurs in the workplace. However, letting someone know that it is happening may prevent someone else from being a victim, and the harasser can face just punishment....
Looking at examples of sexual harassment
Workplace violations take many forms, but if you are sexually harassed, the experience is especially unsettling. Sexual harassment occurs in many ways and leaves victims with a variety of difficulties to work through, from negative emotions to financial problems and...