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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.

Pennsylvania State Office of Open Records accused of age discrimination

01/29/2016
An attorney with long experience working for Pennsylvania state agencies has filed an EEOC complaint alleging that the state’s Office of Open Records refused to hire him because of his age.

Federal court: Bullying isn’t grounds for lawsuit

01/29/2016
A federal court has refused to expand possible reasons for employment lawsuits to include so-called “bullying” claims.

Pennsylvania Whistleblower Act requires verdict from judge, not jury

01/29/2016

Here’s a bit of good news that may prevent a big jury verdict: An employment-related whistleblower claim must be heard and decided by a judge, not a jury.

Document all the details that influence your decision to discipline

01/29/2016
One of the easiest ways to get in legal trouble is to discipline two employees differently for breaking the same rule.

When employee must care for loved one, beware liability for association bias

01/29/2016
Watch out for a growing litigation danger known as association discrimination. More courts are allowing ADA lawsuits to move forward based on suspicion that an employee who has a disabled family member was punished because he might miss work in the future.

Scranton prof sues, says he lost tenure for being Greek

01/29/2016
A former professor at the University of Scranton has sued the university claiming it denied him tenure and fired him because of his Greek heritage.

No employment protection for abuse victims

01/29/2016
A federal court has refused to expand common law workplace protection for victims of domestic abuse.

Prepare now for the data breach that will inevitably hit you

01/04/2016
Do you understand the relevant laws and your obligations to protect employee data?

‘Racist’ not a protected class under Title VII

01/04/2016
Here’s a common sense conclusion: Firing someone you suspect may be a racist is a legitimate decision.

Unemployment: Workplace threats are grounds to quit

01/04/2016
Employees who report being threatened at work can quit and collect unemployment benefits if their em­­ployer doesn’t act fast to provide a safe workplace. Such a “compelling and necessitous” reason to quit makes the employee eligible.