On November 20, 2025, the Philadelphia City Council amended the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance (PFPO) to prohibit discrimination against employees based on menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause. Starting January 1, 2027, Philadelphia employers must, upon request, provide reasonable accommodations “for needs related to menstruation, perimenopause, or menopause, if the symptoms of menstruation, perimenopause, or menopause substantially… Continue Reading
Articles Discussing General Topics In Pennsylvania Labor & Employment Law.
New Local and State-Wide Laws in Pennsylvania Prohibit Discrimination Based on a Variety of Protected Categories
New Local and State-Wide Laws in Pennsylvania Prohibit Discrimination Based on a Variety of Protected Categories
In the past month, Pennsylvania and its two largest cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, enacted legislation that will affect employers across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania adopted legislation to protect against discrimination based on a person’s hairstyle;
Pennsylvania Enacts CROWN Act: Employers Face New Obligations as Hair Discrimination Becomes Explicitly Unlawful
TakeawaysStarting 01.24.26, employers with at least four employees in Pennsylvania are prohibited from discriminating based on hair type, styles, and textures and some hair coverings.Pennsylvania has joined more than 20 states and cities in adopting CROWN Act-style protections.Employers should review their grooming, dress code, and uniform policies to assess restrictions targeting protected hair traits or religious coverings.Related link
Schools in Pennsylvania Must Notify Parents About Weapons Incidents
On November 6, 2025, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed a new state law (Senate Bill No. 246) that requires schools to notify parents, guardians, and school employees about any incidents involving a weapon on school property or at a school-sponsored activity. This law increases the legal liability for schools that
CROWN Act Becomes Law in Pennsylvania: New Protections Against Hair Discrimination
On November 25, 2025, Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act into law during a ceremony in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With this legislation, Pennsylvania joins twenty-seven other states, including neighboring New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, in prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
‘Ban the Box’ Expands in Philadelphia: Latest Updates for Employers
TakeawaysPhiladelphia has amended its Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards ordinance, with changes going into effect 01.06.26.Among other changes, employers will only be able to consider misdemeanors convictions from the past four years (reduced from seven years) during the hiring or employee management process.Employers should update their procedures and practices to comply with the new law.Related link
PA’s Chester County Creates Human Rights Commission; Employers to Face Expanded List of Protected Classes
TakeawaysNondiscrimination provisions covering employment, housing and public accommodations take effect 12.23.25.Joining a state trend to fill perceived gaps in state and federal protections, the ordinance expands protections based on gender identity, gender expression, and more.The new Chester County Human Relations Commission has investigatory and quasi-adjudicatory authority.Relate link
Philadelphia Passes Additional Amendments to Fair Chance Ordinance
Philadelphia Passes Additional Amendments to Fair Chance Ordinance
On October 8, 2025, with the mayor’s signature, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania enacted additional amendments to its Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance (FCRSSO).
tgelbman@littler.com Thu, 10/09/2025 – 08:46
Game-Changer: Pittsburgh’s ‘Jock Tax’ Struck Down by PA High Court
On September 25, 2025, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania struck down the City of Pittsburgh’s 3 percent tax on income earned by nonresident athletes while playing in one of Pittsburgh’s publicly funded sports stadiums, finding the tax, often referred to as a “Jock Tax,” violated the state constitution’s requirement for
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Eyes Labor Regulation Via Executive Order
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Eyes Labor Regulation Via Executive Order
With the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) still lacking the quorum necessary to issue decisions, local and state governments, now including Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, are continuing their attempts to fill the gap.
tgelbman@littler.com Wed, 09/10/2025 – 15:26
Upcoming 2026 Pittsburgh’s Amendments to the Paid Sick Days Act
On June 10, 2025, the City of Pittsburgh enacted amendments to its Paid Sick Days Act (PSDA), which will take effect on January 1, 2026. Since March 2020,
It Is Not Always Sunny in Philadelphia for Employers—Meet the POWER Act
On May 27, 2025, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker signed into law Bill No. 250065 —titled, the “Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights (POWER) Act”—which took effect immediately. The POWER Act amends Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code related to paid sick leave, wage theft, domestic worker protections, fair workweek law,
Pennsylvania Moves Closer to $15 Minimum Wage as Bill Advances to Senate
TakeawaysThe bill aims to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour in the most populous counties starting in 2026, while providing lesser increases in smaller counties.The tipped minimum wage would also increase to 60 percent of the new minimum wages.Annual adjustments based on the CPI would start in 2029.Related linkHouse Bill 1549 Article
Federal Judge in Pennsylvania Reverses Dismissal of Medical Marijuana Cardholder’s Disability Discrimination Claim
On April 11, 2025, a federal judge for the U.S. Western District of Pennsylvania reversed his recent decision to dismiss a disability discrimination claim from a job applicant with a medical marijuana card who alleged he had a job offer rescinded following a pre-employment drug screen.
Pennsylvania Federal Court Follows State Ruling That Medical Marijuana Use Is Not a Disability Under State Law
A Pennsylvania federal court recently ruled that a job applicant who had a job offer rescinded could not allege disability discrimination under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) for medical marijuana use as a matter of law. The ruling could be the first instance of a federal court adopting a