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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.

Family and children: taboo subjects in PA job interviews

01/01/2007

Asking prospective employees whether they’re married or have children is not illegal in Pennsylvania, but it’s a very bad idea …

Gov. Rendell signs workers’ comp reform, then issues a puzzler

01/01/2007

Gov. Ed Rendell signed a workers’ compensation bill that establishes an Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund and caps some legal fees, among other reforms …

Alleged Anti-Woman Comment Sparks Bias Case at Pittsburgh Firm

01/01/2007

A female attorney specializing in employment and labor law has filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit against a Pittsburgh law firm, claiming the environment was hostile to women …

State police officer wins $340,000 judgment in retaliation lawsuit

01/01/2007

A Gibson state police corporal was awarded $340,000 by a federal jury in a lawsuit alleging the department retaliated against him for reporting wrongdoing by fellow officers …

Pennsylvania wage & hour law: Understand the new rules for 2007

01/01/2007

New wage and hour laws came in with the new year for Pennsylvania employers. Hidden in the new minimum-wage law fine print is a new set of rules governing everything from meal breaks to comp time …

Progressive discipline: How to apply a fair, firm policy

01/01/2007

While no federal or state law requires you to create and follow a progressive discipline policy, courts often come down hard on employers that promise progressive discipline but fail to deliver it …

Sudden vigilance of company rules can look like retaliation

12/01/2006

When employees sue your organization, it can be tempting for supervisors to keep a closer eye on those litigious employees to make sure they’re “playing by the rules.” But be careful: If you suddenly start enforcing your company’s existing rules or turn into Big Brother, you could end up facing a second lawsuit, for retaliation

Beware linking RIF with retirement incentives

12/01/2006

It’s not uncommon during economic downturns for organizations to conduct a RIF and—if the expected savings don’t materialize—to follow up with a retirement-incentive plan. But be aware of one pitfall …

What’s an ‘Essential Function’? Consult DOL Manual

12/01/2006

The ADA requires employers to identify the essential functions of all jobs and make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees to perform those tasks. But if you pile too many tasks onto that “essential functions” list, you may court trouble

You can be held personally liable for wage payment errors

12/01/2006

If you’re a decision-maker in your organization and exercise that power to withhold wages from an employee, you could find yourself personally liable to that employee if you get it wrong …