The key to making the most of Pennsylvania labor and employment law is engaging in fair hiring practices, complying with safety standards and keeping a good work environment. Pennsylvania labor law was originally intended to simply improve working conditions for employees but it also improves the relationship between employers and employees. The resulting increase in productivity also increases profits for owners.

PA labor laws include regulations on specific issues such as break and lunch periods, employee-to-foreman ratios, job safety and the work environment. Labor laws also must be regularly updated to deal with changes in technology and work requirements.

PA employment law can be grouped into the following areas:

1. Overtime laws that govern how employees are to be paid after working their normal work day. These laws are most applicable for suits involving the restoration of overtime pay.
2. PA state employment laws that deal with disabled workers, especially with regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
3. Tax laws that affect damages earned for emotional distress on lawsuits. Recent changes in these laws mean that any settlement of this type will now be far lower.

Action Steps
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Stay current on labor law in PA

These laws can change frequently and it's essential that you keep up to date in order to protect your business from frivolous lawsuits and understand your rights as an employer.

I recommend: Weblocator has links to state and federal regulations regarding employees and allows you to find an attorney in Pennsylvania. Labor Law Center Blog provides regular blogs to keep you updated on changes in Pennsylvania labor law.

Study state guidelines to help you comply with Pennsylvania labor laws

Pennsylvania has official state websites that provide extensive information on employment regulations. There are also many other sites that provide summaries of state employment and labor laws.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry lists the specific laws and regulations for workers in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Code provides the statutes regarding labor and industry in Pennsylvania and also allows you to learn more about other laws in Pennsylvania.

Use attorneys that specialize in employment law in PA

Employment law attorneys can help you understand the often complex laws regarding your employees. Many of these attorneys also provide summaries of these laws on their websites.

I recommend: Rhoads & Sinon practices employment and labor law in Harrisburg and also publishes labor law articles online. Learn more about employment and labor law in Pennsylvania with FAQs at Rothman Gordon in Pittsburgh.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Employers with three or more employees must display mandatory Pennsylvania labor law posters. This is required in order to comply with both the United States Department of Labor and Pennsylvania Department of Labor. The most common locations for these posters are areas where employees tend to congregate during breaks such as conference rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks.

Pennsylvania labor and employment law helps employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment regulations. It also helps employers and employees maintain good relationships in a safe and productive work environment.

Pennsylvania labor and employment law makes the workplace better for everyone. Labor law, although originally intended to improve working conditions for laborers, boosts business owners' bottom lines by allowing for increased productivity.

Pennsylvania labor laws deal with job safety, employee-foreman ratios, break time, lunch time and safety standard within the work environment. Updated Pennsylvania labor laws meet the demand of new technology and constantly changing work requirements. Understand and comply with PA labor laws to:

1. Stay in compliance with Pennsylvania labor laws.

2. Provide productive work environments while complying with employment law in Pennsylvania.

3. Protect your businesses from frivolous Pennsylvania labor and employment lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

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Display PA employment law posters in accessible locations around your facility

Keeping employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under employment law in Pennsylvania keeps them empowered. Pennsylvania labor law posters provide the latest updates or changes in labor law in Pennsylvania.

I recommend: GovDocs and LaborLawCenter.com carry up-to-date government recommended PA employment law posters for display around your facility.

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping current on PA labor laws

The only way to guard your company from frivolous lawsuits and keep employees happy is to promote a safe work environment and understand your rights as an employer. Keeping current on changes to current laws and how the effect your particular company is vital to a healthy work environment.

I recommend: Read the rules and regulations page of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to understand workers' rights. Also check out Labor Law Compliance Quick Links for easy answers to PA labor law questions.

Increase productivity by going above and beyond required state of Pennsylvania work laws

Pennsylvania employment law, as in any state, give guidelines and requirements for what the state considers a safe working environment. Going above the minimum requirements to keep employees happy is a great way to increase their productivity.

I recommend: Visit the Workforce Information and Analysis Quick Links at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry website for quick access to forms and publications. HRhero.com is a subscription service offering the latest updates to state by state employment law.

Find labor lawyers in Pennsylvania from Pennsylvania employment laws firms

Employment law attorneys from Pennsylvania employment law firms help clients understand Pennsylvania employment law. Labor lawyers in Pennsylvania from Pennsylvania employment law firms keep clients informed and in compliance with the latest changes and updates to CO employment law.

I recommend: Spector, Gadon and Rosen, P.C. and Montogomery McCraken, both located in Philidelphia, specialize in employment and labor law in Pennsylvania.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss PA state employment law changes with your union representative. If you are a non union business, be sure someone in your Human Resources department is in charge of all employment law related issues.
• •  Post Pennsylvania labor law posters anywhere employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference rooms, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are all great places to for PA state labor law posters.

An examination of Pennsylvania labor and employment law basics should include finding ways of protecting your business and employees. The primary goal of labor and employment laws is to equalize the power between employers and employees, who are frequently represented by labor unions.

PA labor laws may include both state and federal statutes. Federal laws regulate workers' rights to organize and override most state labor and employment laws. However, federal laws generally do not apply to agricultural workers, domestic employees and employees of local or state governments. There are three general areas of labor and employment law regulated by states:

1. Union organization; employment law in Pennsylvania provides public employees with limited protections, but also may allow public employees to strike under some circumstances.
2. Regulations on wages and benefits; many states have laws giving a minimum wage that is higher than the federal standard and also provide laws that protect workers excluded by the Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA).
3. Employee discrimination; federal laws cover discrimination of employees on the basis of race, age and certain disabilities. Some states have passed legislation on other types of discrimination, such as marital status or sexual orientation.
   

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Learn about PA employment law that regulates minimum wage and overtime

According to Pennsylvania labor law, businesses must pay their employees the greater of the state or federal minimum wage. Overtime laws generally control what an employee should be paid after 40 hours of work in the same week.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has links to a variety of employment laws in Pennsylvania, including minimum wage regulations. Get information on the current minimum wage in Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania Employment Law Blog.

Find out how to display PA labor law posters

Pennsylvania labor law posters keep employees informed of their rights and obligations under federal and state labor laws. Employers must display these posters in the workplace in a visible location where they are easy to read.

I recommend: The Poster Compliance Center has the latest updates on the requirements for labor law posters. Learn about the current posting requirements for both OSHA and labor law posters in Pennsylvania at PosterSolution.com.

Provide workers' compensation insurance required by labor law in PA

Workers' compensation insurance protects employees and their families in the event of injury or death of the employee while on the job. Employers also may need to pay for any medical expenses incurred during litigation.

I recommend: Workers Compensation Insurance.com provides quick facts and specific information resources on workers' compensation in Pennsylvania. Learn more about workers' compensation with the FAQ at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pennsylvania labor laws generally have the presumption that workers not covered by an employment agreement are 'at will' employees who may be fired without notice or cause. However, these employees may be still be protected under laws that cover specific activities such as organizing unions or whistleblowing.