On August 26, 2022, Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania dismissed a putative class action representing approximately 100 healthcare company employees brought against their employer, Geisinger Clinic. In the suit, the employees challenged their employer’s policy requiring employees
Articles Discussing General Topics In Pennsylvania Labor & Employment Law.
Philadelphia Enacts COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
On March 10, 2022, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a new ordinance expanding COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) until 2023.
The following are answers that employers need to their questions regarding the latest edition of Philadelphia’s SPSL.
When does SPSL become effective?
SPSL became effective on March 9, 2022.
Philadelphia Mayor Signs Bill Providing for COVID-19–Related Paid Leave
On March 10, 2022, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed into law the third iteration of the Public Health Emergency Leave law, which will guarantee up to forty hours of paid sick leave (COVID-19 leave) for eligible Philadelphia employees. The COVID-19 leave shall be provided to employees immediately without any waiting
Pittsburgh Issues Important Guidance for Employers Related to Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Following the passage of a bill that expanded the City’s anti-discrimination law to include employee “status as a victim of domestic violence,” Pittsburgh recently published additional guidance for employers.
The guidance explains that employers must reasonably accommodate employees who are domestic violence victims, unless they can prove that doing so
COVID-19 Paid Leave Is Back in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia City Council recently passed a third iteration of the Public Health Emergency Leave law that will guarantee up to forty hours of paid sick leave for Philadelphia employees to recover from COVID-19 or avoid exposing others, to care for a family member with COVID-19 or who exhibits symptoms
Pittsburgh Expands Workplace Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
On December 6, 2021, then-mayor of Pittsburgh, Bill Peduto, signed legislation amending the city’s workplace antidiscrimination ordinance to include victims of domestic violence as a protected class. Under the amended ordinance, employers with five or more employees are prohibited from discriminating against individuals based on their actual or perceived status
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Joins the Jurisdictions Requiring Paid Sick Leave: What Does the New Law Require and What Steps Can Employers Take to Prepare?
Nearly two-and-a-half years after it was originally proposed, the Allegheny County Council passed a Paid Sick Leave law (the “Act”) in September 2021 to require employers to provide certain employees in Allegheny County with up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year.
Allegheny County, PA Posts Important Information for Employers Regarding its Paid Sick Leave Law
As we previously reported, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania enacted a paid sick leave law (the “County Ordinance”) on September 15, 2021 requiring employers with 26 or more employees to provide paid sick leave. Under the County Ordinance, covered employers have an obligation to notify employees in writing that they are entitled
Philadelphia Announces January 2022 Vaccination Mandate for Indoor Venues
The City of Philadelphia announced that starting January 3, 2022, it will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for admission to indoor restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues serving food or drinks. The mandate does not apply to masked individuals entering an establishment for less than 15 minutes to pick up food or use the restroom.
City of Philadelphia Announces Food Establishment Vaccine Mandate
In response to rising COVID-19 case rates, on December 13, 2021, the Philadelphia Department of Health announced a vaccine mandate for patrons and staff of all establishments that sell food or drink for on-site consumption within Philadelphia city limits. The mandate will take effect on January 3, 2022.
Philadelphia Ban on Pre-Hire Marijuana Testing Takes Effect on January 1, 2022
On January 1, 2022, Philadelphia’s ordinance, titled, “Prohibition on Testing for Marijuana as a Condition for Employment,” Phila. Code § 9-5500, et seq., will take effect. The ordinance—which was passed by the Philadelphia City Council on April 22, 2021, and signed into law by Mayor Jim Kenney on April 28,
Philadelphia Mandates COVID Vaccine for All City Workers
On November 19, 2021, the City of Philadelphia announced all City workers must “complete a full schedule of COVID-19 vaccination(s)” by January 14, 2022, or risk losing their jobs. This mandate comes following the City’s announcements requiring all Philadelphia healthcare workers, college students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated by October 15, 2021 and all non-union workers to be fully vaccinated by December 1, 2021.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania Provides Critical Guidance on Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act
On October 19, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in Reynolds v. Willert Mfg. Co., LLC, provided important guidance on the protections afforded to certified medical marijuana users by the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (PMMA).
Pittsburgh Extends Mandatory COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave
On July 29, 2021, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto signed a COVID-19 paid sick leave ordinance granting emergency paid sick leave for certain employees for COVID-19–related reasons. The ordinance will remain in effect for one year and will expire on July 29, 2022.
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act Did Not Protect Employee Who Was Terminated for Positive Marijuana Test Result
A federal court in Pennsylvania granted an employer’s motion for summary judgment dismissing a former employee’s Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (PMMA) claim because he could not show that his termination was premised solely on his status as a certified user of medical marijuana. Matthew Reynolds v. Willert Mfg. Co., LLC,
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