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Pennsylvania

Single comment not enough to form basis of discrimination lawsuit

12/01/2015
A single, isolated comment—especially if the speaker isn’t a co-worker or supervisor—isn’t sufficient grounds for alleging discrimination. Complaining about it doesn’t amount to protected activity.

How not to handle harassment against a man

12/01/2015
Consider this central Pennsylvania case that is going to trial soon. A judge has concluded that not only can a man be sexually harassed, but he may be due punitive damages for his suffering.

OK to require call-off, even with FMLA

12/01/2015
Employers are free to set neutral call-off policies that punish even FMLA-protected absences. Just make sure you enforce your rules fairly and consistently. Don’t punish some employees but not others.

‘Tis the season to be jolly … but careful with parties, gifts, bonuses

11/10/2015
It’s that time of year again—time to spread a little holiday cheer … and think about the potential legal consequences of doing so.

HR data security in the spotlight

11/03/2015
Don’t let your employees’ information become the target of the next high-profile data breach. Here’s what you should know before contracting with a cloud vendor.

EEOC alleges Crothall fails to keep proper records

11/03/2015
Wayne, Pa.-based temporary services firm Crothall Services Group faces an EEOC lawsuit alleging it failed to maintain records necessary to document the effect of its criminal background check policy on minorities.

Pennsylvania concrete company, union settle disability bias claim

11/03/2015
Erie, Pa.-based Erie Strayer Co. and Local 468 of the International Association of Bridge Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers have settled charges they violated the ADA when they required employees to provide detailed medical information in order to use paid sick leave.

Pittsburgh enacts law granting paid sick leave

11/03/2015
Pittsburgh has passed a sweeping ordinance granting paid sick leave to employees of almost every private employer based in the city. The ordinance covers both full- and part-time workers.

Partners paid hourly aren’t exempt for the UC system

11/03/2015

Ordinarily, owners of a business aren’t required to participate in the unemployment compensation system and don’t need to pay unemployment tax. Neither are they eligible for unemployment benefits if they lose their jobs. But that doesn’t mean it’s OK to simply create a partnership, have each “partner” contribute a token amount, and then treat them as employees.

Court loses patience with employee on her sixth attorney

11/03/2015
A discrimination case against Penn State has finally been put on the fast track after 10 years and six attorneys.