Do You Have an Employment Law Claim in Harrisburg?

Employees and contractors in Harrisburg, PA, have strong state and federal legal protections. Federal law prohibits workplace discrimination and provides for fair pay, reasonable work hours, and safe workplace conditions.

Whether you have an actionable employment law claim in Harrisburg depends on both the facts of your case and available evidence. Confidentially discuss your potential civil rights and employment claims with the dedicated Harrisburg employee rights lawyersat Mette Attorneys at Law by calling (717) 232-5000 or scheduling a free case evaluation.

Overview of Pennsylvania State and Federal Employment Laws

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state. This means the default rule for employment is that an employer has the right to terminate you without cause or explanation. However, employers can only make adverse employment decisions – such as application rejections, terminations, and demotions – for ‘lawful’ reasons. Laws protecting employees from unlawful employer actions include the following:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

This expansion of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employers from making adverse employment decisions based on an employee’s or prospective employee’s protected characteristics. You must show that any adverse decision was based on your protected class, including:

• Race
• Color
• Gender
• Religion
• Pregnancy
• National origin
• Sexual orientation or transgender status
• Age (over 40)
• Disability
• Genetic information/family medical history

Further, employers may not retaliate against employees for filing discrimination complaints, participating in investigations, or threatening to file complaints in good faith. Gathering evidence of discrimination is often the hardest part of determining whether you can pursue compensation. An experienced anti-discrimination lawyer in Harrisburg might help you understand the documents you need to file an EEOC claim.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA provides additional legal protection to employees with qualifying disabilities. You must show both that you have a qualifying condition under the ADA and that your employer was aware of this condition to support an ADA claim. Generally, employers are required to make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees otherwise capable of performing all essential job functions. These cases are highly fact-specific and require assistance from a Pennsylvania ADA claims attorney.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

In addition to state-specific wage requirements, the FLSA regulates minimum wage, work hours, overtime wages, and breaks. Many employees – most notably salaried employees – are not protected by FLSA wage and overtime requirements. If you suspect you’re being forced to work unlawful hours or not being paid proper minimum or overtime wages, contact a Harrisburg wage and labor attorney immediately.

Reporting Workplace Safety Concerns and Special Protections for Harrisburg Whistleblowers

You may have an employment law claim if you were retaliated against by blowing the whistle on certain unlawful employer actions. This often includes reporting OSHA safety violations or certain financial and tax crimes. If you’ve been subject to a hostile work environment, forced to work in unsafe conditions, or recognize other unlawful employer actions in Harrisburg, confidentially discuss the claims and legal protections available to you with local employment counsel.

Contact a Reputable Harrisburg Employment Law Firm to Discuss Your Potential Case

Whether you have an employment law claim in Harrisburg depends on the specific facts of your case and available evidence. Confidentially discuss your discrimination claims and potential right to financial compensation with our dedicated civil rights lawyers today by calling (717) 232-5000 or confidentially connecting with us online for free.