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Pennsylvania

Employment Lawyer Network:
Pennsylvania

Susan K. Lessack (Editor)

Pepper Hamilton LLP
Pennsylvania Employment Law

LessackS@PepperLaw.com
(610) 640-7806

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Susan K. Lessack is a partner in the Berwyn and Philadelphia offices of Pepper Hamilton LLP. She concentrates her practice in employment counseling and employment litigation. Ms. Lessack’s experience includes counseling employers on matters related to compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws, counseling regarding employee discipline and terminations, conducting investigations of employee conduct, including harassment, training employers on their obligations under employment laws and litigation avoidance, and developing employment policies. She defends employers in litigation of employment discrimination claims, wrongful discharge claims, and claims under federal and state employment-related statutes, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law.

6-year sentence for woman who embezzled $4.3 million

05/17/2018
A New Freedom, Pa. woman says gambling addiction is why she embezzled $4.3 million while working at the Susquehanna Valley Surgical Center in Harrisburg.

If discipline must differ, be sure to note extenuating circumstances that required it

05/17/2018
Generally, employers should be careful to discipline workers in a consistent manner. Employees who break the same rule should earn the same punishment. However, employers can sometimes justify differences in discipline if they can offer detailed explanations why.

Disciplining disabled worker for absenteeism? Make sure she knows your rules

05/17/2018
It is essential to grant FMLA leave when eligible employees need it. At the same time, it is perfectly legal to require employees to follow specific procedures for using leave. Just make sure employees understand those rules.

Philly’s Dechert law firm settles discrimination claims

04/30/2018
The giant Dechert law firm, founded in Philadelphia in 1875, has agreed to settle charges it fired two workers from its payroll department because of their age and gender.

Genuine fear for safety may justify quitting

04/30/2018
If an employer reassures an applicant that she’s going to be working in a safe environment and that turns out to be incorrect, that worker may be justified in quitting.

Recent medical diagnosis? Consider accommodations

04/30/2018
Sometimes an employee discovers she may have a disability, or that it’s time to disclose one she had been keeping secret. How the employer responds to that information may prevent an ADA discrimination lawsuit—or trigger one.

Denial of basic training opportunity doesn’t rise to the level of sex discrimination

04/30/2018
Not every negative thing that happens amounts to retaliation or discrimination. Employees have to show that any “punishment” they experienced significantly changed the conditions of employment.

Suddenly stopped informal accommodations? Get ready to defend decision in court

04/30/2018
Disabled employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that allow them to perform the essential functions of their jobs. Employers cannot simply develop a list of one-size-fits-all accommodations for a particular condition.

Ensure fair treatment after return to work

04/30/2018
The ADA and the Pennsylvania Human Rights Act protect disabled workers from harassment based on their disability. Make sure everyone, including co-workers and supervisors, understands they cannot punish a disabled employee for taking leave.

Document all efforts to find ADA accommodations

04/26/2018
If an employee tells you he has a new medical condition that qualifies as an ADA disability, document all discussions you have about possible accommodations.