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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.

Workplace fight? OK to punish based on severity of injuries

02/22/2019
If two workers fight, employers are free to issue harsher punishment to the worker who inflicts the most severe injuries. Just make sure you document exactly why you believe the more aggressive worker deserves greater punishment.

No-fighting rule? Punish combatants equally

02/22/2019
You probably have a rule against any form of violence in the workplace. Make sure you uniformly discipline everyone involved in any altercation.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court tightens data security requirements

02/13/2019
A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision makes it easier for employees to sue for damages resulting from data breaches of employer data systems.

Joint employer liability for Lansdale, Pa. firm, temp agencies

02/13/2019
Fox Bindery in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and various temporary agencies it engaged violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by not paying workers at least the federal minimum wage and proper overtime.

Blocking unemployment may not bar litigation

02/13/2019
If you routinely allege misconduct to fight unemployment benefit claims in an effort to thwart subsequent litigation, you may want to reconsider your tactics.

Don’t ‘game the system’ to favor one race over another

02/13/2019
Trying to manipulate an otherwise neutral hiring or promotion process can backfire.

Welcome aboard! Never mind! Document why you rescinded job offer

02/13/2019
Employers that tell an applicant she’s hired and then yank the offer should be prepared to give a legitimate, business-related reason. Carefully document the reason in case the applicant later sues.

You could be liable for disability bias even if ADA accommodation denial was legitimate

02/13/2019
Don’t get overconfident because you turned down an employee’s request for an ADA accommodation that you sincerely believed was unnecessary. You can still be sued—and you might lose!

Remind staff: Contractors aren’t employees

02/13/2019
The more control you exert, the more likely your organization will be on the hook as the employer in any lawsuit.

Pittsburgh jury awards $3 million in bias case

02/13/2019
A scientist who was fired from her job at Pittsburgh Plate Glass has won a $3 million verdict against her former employer.