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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.

Court decides ‘weird’ is a gender-neutral insult

12/06/2016
Viewing someone as “weird” or unusual isn’t discriminatory if, in context, the label could apply to either sex.

Beware poor agreements that compromise contractor status

11/02/2016
Such an agreement can be the kiss of death if it’s anything like one recently reviewed by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Philadelphia Parking Authority belatedly fires director over harassment charges

11/02/2016
The Philadelphia Parking Authority has fired Executive Director Vincent Finerty, Jr., after sexual harassment charges came to light.

EEOC unmasks religious discrimination at Erie, Pa., hospital

11/02/2016
St. Vincent’s Health Center, owner of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Erie, Pa., faces an EEOC religious discrimination lawsuit after it fired six employees who refused on religious grounds to receive flu vaccinations.

EBSA brings shocking charges against Exton, Pa., electrical firm

11/02/2016
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Admini­stration has charged Keares Electrical Contracting in Exton, Pa., with failing to make required contributions to the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.

Lost certification during FMLA? No right to reinstatement

11/02/2016
Employees on FMLA leave aren’t entitled to reinstatement if they can’t perform the essential functions of their jobs.

Ensure employees on leave understand termination rules

11/02/2016
If you have a policy on terminating employees who are out on leave, be sure to issue reminders about the rule and the timeline.

Unpaid intern may be an employee under Pennsylvania Human Relations Act

11/02/2016
The Pennsylvania Superior Court has concluded that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act may include an unpaid intern as a covered employee under the act.

EEOC loses bid to expand who can be a victim of sexual harassment

11/02/2016
That effort ran into a roadblock recently when it lost a big case.

Pick one reason for firing, then stick with it

11/02/2016
Before you decide to change the reason why you discharged a worker, consider the possible impact of a potential lawsuit.