Blog Posts - Employer law (employer)
What to do if you receive an EEOC charge of discrimination notice
As an employer, there are federal and state standards that you must adhere to. Creating a safe work environment free from dangers and hostility is expected; however, instances of an unsafe or hostile work environment could result from conditions out of their immediate control. Employers have processes in place to...
Can I help mitigate claims with a harassment policy?
A comprehensive sexual harassment policy serves several key functions. The first is legal compliance. It ensures adherence to federal and state regulations, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The second is a positive workplace environment. It contributes to fostering a...
How can I fight against EEOC sexual harassment claims?
Sexual harassment is a critical workplace issue that can have serious legal and financial repercussions for Pennsylvania businesses. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces federal laws prohibiting such harassment. And, there are effective strategies for local businesses to address and combat EEOC sexual harassment claims. Understand the law First and...
Now that the FTC has axed non-competes, what can I do?
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission issued a landmark rule effectively banning non-compete agreements nationwide. This rule has profound implications for employers, including those in Pennsylvania, where non-compete agreements were previously enforceable under specific conditions. Impact on Pennsylvania employers The new FTC rule prohibits employers from establishing new...
Pennsylvania lawmakers address state wage laws
Many high-profile Pennsylvania employment disputes have centered on harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination and other forms of mistreatment. In many cases, these disputes boil down to a problem with wages. Addressing wage disparity has long been an objective of employee advocates and legislators. Recently, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the...
How a code of conduct can protect your business
Although harassment and discrimination continue to be a problem in Pennsylvania’s workplaces, there are steps that you can take as an employer to protect your employees and yourself from legal action. For example, you can provide your employees with routine training on discriminatory and harassing behaviors so that they know...
Local grocery store chain sued for violating ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides many important protections to employees. One of these is forbidding employers from requiring employees to undergo medical examinations or answer questions that are designed to determine if they have a disability. Weis, a local grocery store chain, was recently sued for allegedly violating...
What should a severance agreement include?
Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state, which means that as an employer, you do not necessarily need a reason to terminate an employee, so long as your reason does not violate laws against discrimination or other restrictions. However, terminating employees is rarely easy and there are some things that may...
Avoid these mistakes in your severance agreements
Severance agreements are commonly used when employees leave a company. A severance agreement is a contract between you and your employee that dictates the terms surrounding their leaving. A severance agreement usually provides the employee with a benefit, such as a payout, in exchange for releasing your company from future...
Do you know how to avoid disparate impact discrimination?
Workplace discrimination claims are as common today as they have ever been. Workers are becoming more aware of their rights, which means that you as an employer need to do everything you can to ensure that you’re abiding by the law and protecting those workers’ rights, otherwise you might...
FMLA eligibility and common disputes
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides leave to eligible employees who need time away from work for family and medical reasons. The leave time isn’t necessarily paid, but the employee’s job is protected while they are exercising their rights under the FMLA. FMLA eligibility To qualify for FMLA,...
Can Pennsylvania employers make tip pooling mandatory?
When servers at a restaurant or stylists at a salon earn tips, they sometimes agree to combine their tips in a pool and share them equally. Tip pooling is common in the service industry. But can an employer require workers to combine their tips in a tip pool, even if...
What should employers know about legally terminating employees?
In recent years as employment law and disputes about various issues have gotten more attention from the media and the public, employers are cast as being in the wrong. In truth, employers have rights too and that include deciding if they want to keep an employee or dismiss them. For...
NLRB decision means you need to check your severance agreements
Employers focus on their customers, their employees and their bottom line. Part of this trifecta are the various business agreements that intermingle among them, which unfortunately can include severance agreements, especially these days. However, a recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board should put Lancaster County business owners on...
Defending against wrongful termination
Losing a job can be a painful experience for anyone, whether they are fairly new to the company or a seasoned employee with decades of experience. Many terminated employees quickly move onto other opportunities, but some may have a more difficult time letting go. Some employees may even be angry...
Severance agreements can make terminations go smoothly
When a Central Pennsylvania employer has to make the difficult decision to let an employee go, they should consider offering a severance agreement. Severance agreements are not mandatory under Pennsylvania law, so companies do not have to offer them. However, severance agreements do offer some mutual benefits. For employees, they...
Software tools can contribute to disability discrimination
Expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities requires employers to navigate numerous issues: interview questions, providing for reasonable accommodations upon an employee’s request, and maintaining confidentiality. Businesses, however, continue to incorporate technology to expedite and reduce the costs of almost every employment decision. The collision between software tools important for business...
Why do you need to update your employee manual?
Most Hershey area businesses understand the importance of an employee manual. A thorough employee manual is often one of the most important documents for your business. There are many important purposes the manual covers, including: Communicating expectations and policies Introduce the culture of your company Reference document for the organization...
The WARN Act: What is the employee job loss notification period?
In Pennsylvania and across the United States, many people are understandably concerned about their job status. The economy has been challenging and many businesses are struggling. Since Pennsylvania functions under at-will employment, many workers can simply be terminated from their job without warning. They can also leave the job without...
When will a worker be classified as an independent contractor?
It is important that employers in Pennsylvania properly classify workers as either employees or independent contractors. This is because employees have rights to employment-based benefits including health insurance and retirement benefits, as well as rights to unemployment benefits and workers’ compensation insurance that are not afforded to independent contractors. What...
Why your business should be using progressive discipline
Although much of owning a business is about increasing market share and maximizing profits, true success also requires you to implement risk mitigation strategies. If you can reduce or eliminate the possibility of being found legally liable for damages caused to other parties, then you can ensure that your business’s...
