As a lawyer, it is important to be aware of the employment laws in Pennsylvania that business owners need to follow. Below are some important laws that should be followed:
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Minimum Wage Laws: Under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, the minimum wage that employers are required to pay their employees is $7.25 per hour. It is important for business owners to abide by this law and make sure that their employees are being paid the minimum wage.
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Overtime Requirements: Non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a week must be paid overtime pay of 1.5 times their regular hourly rate. Business owners should be aware of this requirement and ensure that their employees are being fairly compensated when they work overtime.
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Discrimination Laws: Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age (40 or over), religion, disability, or pregnancy. Business owners must ensure that they are not discriminating against any employees or job applicants on the basis of any protected class.
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Family and Medical Leave: The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) applies to employers with 50 or more employees. Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for certain family or medical reasons. Pennsylvania has its own state leave laws as well.
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Sexual Harassment Laws: Pennsylvania law prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. Business owners have a duty to provide a work environment that is free from harassment, and they can be held liable if they fail to take action to prevent or stop harassment from occurring.
It is important to note that there may be additional employment laws that apply depending on the size and type of business. Business owners may want to seek legal advice to ensure that they are in compliance with all applicable laws. In addition, business owners should have written policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with employment laws and to protect their business from potential liability.
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