Service Details

Employment Law & Discrimination

Committed to Protecting Your Rights as an Employee

Our employment lawyers are committed to defending employees’ rights and fighting discrimination in the workplace. From questions about a severance or employment agreement, clarification on your rights with respect to state and federal laws, representation at an unemployment compensation hearing, to helping you obtain an appropriate remedy when you have experienced discrimination or harassment based on race, sex, religion, age, national origin or disability, we provide personal attention and prudent counsel.

Our Broad-Based Employment Law Experience Benefits You

Employment matters often have far reaching consequences for employees and their families. Our experience in drafting employment policies for employers gives us a unique perspective and a more thorough understanding of employment issues. When an employer has failed to comply with legal requirements we will provide assertive and effective legal representation with an emphasis on solving problems and obtaining desired outcomes. Appropriate remedies for employment matters are varied and our extensive experience allows us to help our clients evaluate their options and decide what course of action is best for them. Following are some of the ways in which we assist individuals with employment issues:

• Help you understand your rights and obligations under statutes, regulations and common law addressing all aspects of employment law
• Answer questions about at will employment and the legal significance of employment contracts and personnel policies and handbooks
• Advocate in the most effective and efficient way for recovery of damages resulting from an employer's disregard of its obligations under the law
• Review and negotiate severance agreements explaining ramifications of common clauses relating to release of claims, non-disparagement, prohibiting future employment and mandating confidentiality
• Interpret and negotiate employment agreements and restrictive covenants, including covenants not to compete, with knowledge of enforceability and provide a knowledgeable and effective defense against claims made by an employer to enforce restrictive covenants
• Explain laws and regulations about unemployment compensation benefits, prepare appeals and provide representation at hearings before the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review
• Obtain certainty with respect to references in cases of employment termination
• Provide effective and assertive legal assistance to resolve wrongful discharge claims and employment discrimination and harassment based on race, sex, religion, age, national origin or disability
• Explain how discrimination, harassment and a hostile work environment are defined under state and federal laws and how employment claims are pursued in administrative forums such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PAHRC), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review and state and federal courts in Lancaster, Harrisburg and Philadelphia
• Understand the interaction of state and federal laws with respect to leave policy and disability claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and workers' compensation statutes
• Provide experienced representation before administrative agencies, alternative dispute resolution forums, and courts on discrimination and harassment claims made under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act
• Explain the interaction of policies, laws and regulations regarding disability, sick leave, work related injuries and illnesses and obligations of existing or prospective employees to submit to medical or psychiatric examinations and fitness for duty examinations
• Identify when a cause of action arises for wrongful termination and explain case law defining a violation of public policy
• Evaluate claims for unpaid wages and benefits under the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, and claims under state and federal statutes governing overtime, comp time, minimum wage and child labor
• Provide guidance to help resolve matters related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and other state and federal employment laws
• Identify recourse for whistleblowers and employees experiencing unlawful retaliation
• Understand the distinctive rights of municipal and public employees

Recent Updates & Recommended Articles on the Lancaster Law Blog:

• Changes to PA Unemployment Compensation Law, Part 1
  • After the holiday season, there is typically a national spike in unemployment claims. This year is no exception. For employers and employees in Pennsylvania, 2012 also brings changes to the state's Unemployment Compensation (UC) laws.
• National Labor Relations Board Says Employee Facebook Posts About Employer Protected
  • I recently read an article on MSNBC.com, Feds settle case of woman fired over Facebook comments, which discussed a settlement in Connecticut which will have a significant long-lasting impact on employers' policies regarding their employees' conduct on the internet.
• Making the Most of a Layoff
  • I was recently contacted by a reporter and asked to describe steps employees who are laid off from employment may take to maximize what they take away. As I prepared my response, it occurred to me that some of the readers of this blog may find this information helpful.
• The Old Switcheroo: An Employer's Obligation to Employee Work Hours
  • A reader recently asked if it is legal for an employer to cut an employee's hours and assign work instead to an employee who is newly hired. The short answer to the question is a qualified yes.