http://www.elinfonet.com/starticles/39 Articles discussing workplace law in Pennsylvania. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:10:42 EST en-us http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2445 Article: 2445 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) The time has come for most workplaces and public places in Pennsylvania to become smoke-free environments. The Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air Act (the “Act”) went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2008. Pennsylvania now joins 32 other states in enacting anti-smoking laws designed to protect their residents from passive, secondhand smoke. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2339 Article: 2339 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) The State of Pennsylvania has enacted a new law banning smoking in the workplace and most enclosed public places. Governor Ed Rendell has signed the Clean Indoor Air Act (the “Act”), and employers in the state have until September 11, 2008, to come into compliance. Once the law takes effect, smoking—or allowing others to smoke—in a public place that is subject to the ban will be punishable by civil and criminal penalties ranging from $250 to $1,000. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2285 Article: 2285 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On June 11, 2008, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a statewide ban on smoking in public places, including workplaces. Governor Rendell signed The Clean Indoor Air Act (the "Act") on June 13, 2008. The Act becomes effective September 11, 2008. Below is a brief overview of the Act, the new requirements for employers, and tips for employers to follow in order to comply with the new nonsmoking obligations. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2102 Article: 2102 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Pennsylvania legislators have been busy drafting comprehensive legislation to overhaul the state’s mine safety law. The nearly 100-page long product of their efforts is Senate Bill 949. S.B. 949 was introduced in Harrisburg on January 11th. It is reportedly a collaborative effort that enjoys the support of a number of vital constituencies – miners, operators and regulators within the Rendell Administration. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2082 Article: 2082 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A report updating clients on political, legislative and regulatory activity in Harrisburg. This issue's headlines are: Labor & Industry Secretary Stepping Down; Number of Legislative Retirements Hit 24; Medicaid Won't Cover 'Serious Preventable Events'; Governors Criticize EPA Denial of Emissions Waiver; No Cap on Charter School Enrollment, Court Says; 29,000 Jump from Waiting List to Affordable Health Care Coverage Program. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=2036 Article: 2036 Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) A report updating clients on political, legislative and regulatory activity in Harrisburg. This issue's headlines are: Workers' Compensation Board Files Rate Reduction Plan; Unemployment Taxes to Fall. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=1747 Article: 1747 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) On July 9, 2006, Governor Rendell signed legislation that substantially raised the minimum wage in Pennsylvania beyond the federal levels. These new rates go into effect January 1, 2007. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=1612 Article: 1612 Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Employers doing business in Pennsylvania should review their practices regarding the use and disclosure of social security numbers in light of a new state law increasing protection against their theft and improper use. With some exceptions, S.B. 601 applies to Pennsylvania businesses and government agencies and is effective 180 days from enactment. Governor Ed Rendell signed the legislation on June 29, 2006. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=1575 Article: 1575 Thu, 18 May 2006 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Recently, there has been a spate of class action cases brought by attorneys who seek to recover unpaid overtime on behalf of current and former employees who were misclassified as exempt from overtime pay under Federal and/or State law. Indeed, such class action cases are currently the lawsuit du jour of the plaintiff’s bar because even small amounts of overtime not accounted for, when calculated over the statutory period, can result in significant liability. Further, the employer is on the hook for the payment of all of the plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees, which can be substantial. http://www.elinfonet.com/newscount.php?stateID=1543 Article: 1543 Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 EST elin@elinfonet.com (Employment Law Information Network) Beginning in February 2005, the media reported a flood of data security breaches involving some of the nation's largest financial institutions, most respected corporations, and major universities. According to a chronology maintained by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, more than 125 security breaches were reported between February 2005 and February 2006, putting at risk the personal information of more than 50 million Americans. These security breaches exposed the affected individuals to identity theft and were very costly for many of the organizations that experienced them, resulting in disruption of business activities, loss of reputation, and damage to employee morale. While Congress debated many bills in response, it enacted none.