Whistleblower claims of all types generally require proof of three elements; a complaint of conduct believed to be unlawful (protected activity), some form of discipline (an adverse action), and proof that the adverse action was motivated by the protected activity (causation). Oftentimes, the existence of an adverse action (such as
Articles Discussing General Topics In Pennsylvania Labor & Employment Law.
Pennsylvania Court Holds Employer Must Reimburse Out-of-Pocket Costs For Medical Marijuana
A Pennsylvania Court held that an employer violated the state Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA) by refusing to reimburse an employee for out-of-pocket medical marijuana expenses related to a workplace injury. Fegley v. Firestone Tire & Rubber (Workers’ Comp. Appeal Bd.), 2023 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 26 (Commw. Ct. Mar. 17, 2023).
Philadelphia Issues Rules on COVID Paid Sick Leave, and Revises “During COVID” Rules for Regular and Healthcare Employee Paid Sick Leave
On February 28, 2023, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor (PDOL) published regulations concerning three distinct types of job-protected paid leave employers must provide under the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Ordinance (PHFWO). This is the third iteration of what PDOL labels its “supplemental regulation” of the PHFWO.
Pennsylvania Expands Definitions of Race, Sex and Religious Creed in Human Relations Act
On December 8, 2022, Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission approved amendments to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act regulations to add a subchapter providing new definitions of race, gender and religious creed under the acts, 16 Pa.
Pennsylvania Federal Judge Tosses Challenge to Employer Jab or Swab Mandate
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
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
Philadelphia’s COVID-19 Paid Leave Ordinance for 2022 and 2023
On March 3, 2022, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s City Council adopted and sent to the mayor (who we expect to sign) Bill # 220051-A, an ordinance requiring covered employers to provide paid “COVID-19 Leave” starting immediately (when the law officially takes effect upon signature by the mayor) and through December 31,
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.