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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania DLI proposal would more than double exempt threshold

07/10/2018
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has submitted a proposed rule to amend the regulations that exempt executive, administrative and professional salaried workers from overtime requirements under Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Act of 1968.

Executive order bars salary inquiries for some state jobs

07/10/2018
Brandishing a plastic bag containing 79 cents, Gov. Tom Wolf announced an executive order barring most Pennsylvania government offices from asking for an applicant’s salary history during the hiring process.

OSHA inspectors beat a path to Bensalem, Pa. construction firm

07/10/2018
Strong Contractors in Bensalem, Pa. has become the go-to destination for OSHA inspectors. Since March 2017, they have descended on Strong worksites 14 times.

Judges reserve the option to reduce some huge jury awards

07/10/2018
Winning a discrimination suit over a lost promotion can cost an employer dearly—but all is not lost simply because a jury concludes the promotion was unfairly awarded.

Required security clearance doesn’t violate CHRIA

07/10/2018
The Pennsylvania Criminal History Records Information Act restricts how employers may use criminal records in hiring. That doesn’t mean employers cannot require a security clearance from an outside agency.

Employee passed on second-chance offer? That may rule out unemployment benefits

07/10/2018
Sending an employee home following a dispute or workplace error with instructions to think about the event doesn’t count as a discharge—it’s a second chance. Failing to return to work afterward then becomes a resignation, thus disqualifying the employee from receiving unemployment benefits.

Public-policy exception means at-will status doesn’t always apply

07/10/2018
A federal court interpreting Pennsylvania law has concluded that firing a worker for calling in a complaint to OSHA provides protection under the public-policy exception.

Gov’t employees enjoy free speech protection

07/10/2018
Government employees have more protection from termination than most private-sector workers do. Example: They have the right to comment on matters of public concern without being discharged for doing so.

No bias allowed when deciding who telecommutes

07/05/2018
About 45% of employers permit some of their employees to telecommute. If you allow staff members to work from home, make sure managers and supervisors grant the privilege fairly.

Key to progressive discipline: Implement steps consistently, keep solid documentation

06/19/2018
If you have a progressive disciplinary policy that gives employees a chance to improve when they make mistakes, make sure you use it consistently. It will pay off if you follow your policy, fire an employee and the employee later decides to sue.