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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.

Cover all bases when settling workers’ comp claim

12/04/2017

Sometimes, employers and employees decide to settle a workers’ compensation claim. But don’t assume that will put an end to the matter—unless you have expert legal help drafting a complete release of any and all claims.

Be prepared to explain why pay differs for similar jobs

12/04/2017

Keeping close track of why one individual earns less than another goes a long way toward defending against Equal Pay Act claims.

Wage-and-hour dispute? Seek settlement before employee has a chance to file suit

12/04/2017

If a case involving unpaid overtime or some other FLSA claims isn’t settled before the worker files a federal lawsuit, the law requires a federal judge to review any proposed settlement for fairness and consistency with the FLSA’s intent to protect workers from employer violations.

Consider every religious accommodation request, even out-of-the-ordinary ones

12/04/2017

Just because an employee’s religious beliefs fall outside the mainstream doesn’t mean they aren’t protected. In fact, many beliefs qualify as religious even if they may seem outlandish to someone practicing a mainstream religion.

Routinely log phone calls coming into HR

12/04/2017

HR professionals should document all phone calls received from applicants or employees and include a brief summary of the outcome. That way, should someone later claim no one answered or returned a phone call, you have a way to counter the allegation.

Require identical hiring process for all applicants

11/30/2017

Informal employment inquiries can sometimes lead to failure-to-hire lawsuits. The best way to avoid such litigation is to set up a clear application process and tell all potential applicants that this is the only way they can apply.

Former Nittany Mills exec pleads guilty to wire fraud

11/13/2017

A former vice-president of operations at Nittany Paper Mills in Lewistown, Pa., has pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge after the company discovered a two-year trail of improper transactions.

EEOC sues Estée Lauder over unequal leave benefits

11/08/2017
Cosmetic giant Estée Lauder faces charges its parental leave benefits discriminate against men.

Philadelphia real estate firm accused of pregnancy bias

11/08/2017

A Philadelphia-area real estate investment firm that owns and manages apartment communities, retail shopping centers and professional office buildings faces an EEOC lawsuit after it fired an employee shortly after she disclosed she was pregnant.

Male government biologist files gender bias complaint

11/08/2017

A U.S. Forest Service biologist working in Pennsylvania claims he is being discriminated against because of his sex.