A new law in Illinois requires health plans to cover therapies for menopause, and another new law in Philadelphia prohibits employers from discriminating based on menopause or menstruation. Several other states provide legal protections for female employees experiencing menopause, but Philadelphia is the first major city to provide these protections.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Expands Workplace Protections for Menstruation and Menopause Symptoms
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
‘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
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
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,
Philadelphia POWER Act Affects Paid Sick Leave Obligations
Philadelphia POWER Act Affects Paid Sick Leave Obligations
On May 27, 2025, the mayor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania signed into law File # 250065, which took effect immediately. Although the ordinance amended a variety of local employment standards, our focus is their impact on the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Ordinance,
Philadelphia Mayor’s Mandate Requiring Return to In-Person Work Prevails in Court of Common Pleas
Mayor Cherelle Parker’s mandate requiring City of Philadelphia remote workers to return to their offices took effect on July 15, 2024, following the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge’s denial of a local union’s request for preliminary and permanent injunction. In her capacity as chief executive of the government of
5 City Ordinances Every Employer With Employees in Philadelphia Should Know
The City of Philadelphia maintains several employment-specific ordinances that enhance preexisting state and federal employee protections or create new employment rights. Some of these apply even if the employer has only one employee in Philadelphia.
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.
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,
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
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 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.
Philadelphia Tweaks Exceptions to August 11, 2021 Indoor Mask Mandate
On August 13, 2021, the Philadelphia Department of Health published a regulation amending its August 11, 2021 order that requires individuals to wear a face mask (with certain exceptions) in indoor settings and at certain large outdoor events in Philadelphia, unless a