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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

Click for Full Bio

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.

Bar offensive speech from social media

10/13/2022
We live in the era of social media, where a shared opinion can quickly spread from a handful of contacts to millions. A post some view as offensive can have immediate consequences, turning into a public relations nightmare for the poster’s employer.

Diner ordered to dish up $1.35 million

09/20/2022
The Empire Diner in Lansdowne, Pa., learned the hard way it’s not nice to steal your servers’ tips.

Court tosses anti-vax claim of religious exemption

09/15/2022
Handling requests to reasonably accommodate employees’ religious beliefs or practices can be tricky because the law defines religion rather loosely. Workers with beliefs clearly far outside mainstream religions are still protected from employment discrimination.

Leave medical history out of hiring and firing decisions

09/01/2022
Remind supervisors never to consider an applicant’s or employee’s medical history when making hiring, firing or other employment decisions. That’s true even if a worker’s medical condition may cause health insurance premiums to rise or result in frequent absences.

Ensure bosses don’t block accommodations

08/11/2022
It’s important to train supervisors that they must honor approved disability accommodations and immediately refer all requests to modify accommodations to HR.

Steer clear of hosting unwanted festivities

07/21/2022
Before you plan the next workplace party honoring an employee, ask whether this is something the employee wants and will appreciate. There has been a recent rash of lawsuits over such unwelcome events.

Tell bosses: Don’t pester teleworkers after hours

06/24/2022
If you have hourly employees working from home, make sure their supervisors understand their role in preventing surprise wage-and-hour claims.

Document how you tried to accommodate religion

06/09/2022
Employers must reasonably accommodate employees’ religious beliefs and need to worship. But it’s not an absolute mandate; the accommodation must be reasonable. If it would cause an undue hardship, employers must document their accommodation efforts and the disruption caused by unsuccessful attempts to accommodate religious needs.

Investigate suspected FMLA intermittent leave abuse

05/12/2022
Dishonest employees often abuse their right to take intermittent FMLA leave. Fortunately, courts grant employers broad leeway to investigate suspicious absences.

Layoffs: Check job-cut list for discrimination liability

04/28/2022
Any time you must lay off employees, carefully review the list of people who will lose their jobs. Reason: Reductions-in-force are magnets for discrimination lawsuits.