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Pennsylvania

Is it OK for supervisors and employees to use different methods for recording work hours?

05/27/2011
Q. Our nonsupervisory, hourly employees punch in using a time clock. Our supervisors write timecards. Is this dual method acceptable or could it lead to legal trouble?

Is it time for telework? 6 unexpected issues you should consider

05/27/2011
Telework is taking off. Although the idea of allowing employees to work from home, at clients’ sites or at remote locations isn’t new, it is gaining popularity as gas prices remain high and commuting times to the office increase. But beyond choosing the right posi­tions for telework, employers must address important legal issues before adopting a telecommuting policy.

Lawyer drops bias suit; no dirt will be dished

05/27/2011
JoEllen Lyons Dillon has dropped a sex discrimination lawsuit against the Reed Smith law firm in Pittsburgh, a sudden reversal that suggests the parties may have reached a settlement.

Philly councilman wants restaurants to remit full tips

05/27/2011
Philadelphia Councilman Jim Kenney has a bone to pick with some city restaurants. When customers charge their meals, he claims the restaurants deduct from waiters’ tips the credit-card processing fees businesses must pay. Kenney has introduced a bill in the City Council to bar the practice.

Philadelphia limits questions on criminal records

05/27/2011
Effective July 12, 2011, Philadelphia employers with 10 or more employees will be limited in their ability to inquire about job applicants’ criminal records. Under the Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance, employers must treat inquiries into criminal convictions much the same way they must treat inquiries into an applicant’s disability under the ADA.

Allegheny Port Authority says race charges were trumped up

05/27/2011
The latest chapter in an ongoing legal battle opened recently when the Alle­gheny Port Authority responded to charges leveled by Deborah Blocker, a black employee who has alleged racial harassment.

Age bias requires showing substantial age difference

05/27/2011
The ADEA protects workers age 40 or older from discrimination based on their age. But winning an ADEA case doesn’t require an employee to prove that the employer gave preferential treatment to someone younger than 40. She just has to show that the favored employee was “substantially” younger than the older employee.

Consider ADA issues once FMLA, personal leave expire

05/27/2011
Do you automatically terminate employees who can’t return to work after exhausting FMLA leave and personal leave? That could violate the ADA.

Not every romantic advance equals harassment

05/27/2011
Courts understand: Occasionally, romantic sparks fly between people who work together. They recognize that it’s not always harassment, even—under some circumstances—when the couple includes a supervisor. The key is whether or not the conduct is welcome.

Is it legal to offer comp time?

04/28/2011
Q. Some of our full-time, salaried employees have to put in a lot of extra time for off-hours meetings and additional workload responsibilities. Is it legal to give these employees extra time off from work?