Pennsylvania State Employment Laws
Pennsylvania has a long list of labor laws to protect employees and employers within the state. Such labor laws fight discrimination, ensure the safety of both employees and employers and guarantee that business is conducted fairly according to federal and state regulations. Knowing these laws empowers you to conduct yourself within Pennsylvania state parameters.
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Federal Compliance
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The state of Pennsylvania upholds federal law such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Equal Employment Opportunity Act. Businesses in the state of Pennsylvania cannot deny employment based on age, disability, gender, marital status, race, religion or sex. They must also make reasonable modifications to the work environment to accommodate and enable employees with disabilities such as vision, hearing or mobility impairment to do their jobs.
Minimum Wage
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Pennsylvania enforces its state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour as of July 24, 2009. A major exception to this minimum wage is employees who earn $30 in tips or more a month, which enables a Pennsylvania employer to pay only $2.83 an hour. However, if the employee does not end up making standard minimum wage between hourly wage and tips, the employer must make up the difference in the paycheck.
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Overtime
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An employee in Pennsylvania may work up to 40 hours a week at his regular wage. Any hours over 40 hours a week should earn time and a half, or 1 1/2 times the hourly rate, for every hour worked. The major exception to this rule, as stated in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), is any employee who can be categorized as working in an executive, administrative or professional position.
General Safety
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The General Safety Law in Pennsylvania demands all state employers provide a safe work environment for employees. Places of employment must be "be constructed, equipped, arranged, operated and conducted so as to provide reasonable and adequate protection for the life, limb, safety and morals of all persons employed therein." Since Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations are stricter and nationwide, the General Safety Law only applies to state employees. For private business, OSHA regulations apply.
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