A Brief Glimpse Into Pennsylvania Wrongful Termination Laws

Have you just lost your job in Philadelphia? If you have, you might be contemplating whether or not you have good cause to call a civil rights lawyer in Philadelphia so that you can file a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Similar to that of many other states, Pennsylvania employees work “at-will.”

In other words, you can be let go for any reason, or at any time, by your employer. However, there are some instances where the at-will rule cannot apply. For example, the rule does not apply if your employer let you go for a discriminatory reason or in retaliation for you exercising your rights under the hour and wage laws.

In The Case Of Discrimination

Federal law says that employers cannot let an employee go because of their color, sex, race, national origin, religion, age, pregnancy, citizenship status and disability, and the same goes for PA law. Additionally, if you believe that you were neglected a promotion because of your age (or other discriminatory reason) and go to your HR department, your employer cannot let you go for confiding in your HR director. Lastly, you employer cannot let you go for taking the initiative to end stop discriminatory behaviors.

Hour And Wage Rights

Right now, PA employees make, at a minimum, $7.25 an hour. Both federal and PA law states that employees who work more than 40 hours qualify for overtime pay. What’s more, if you work more than 5 hours, you are allowed to have a 30-minute unpaid break. If you or anyone you know is forced to work overtime without being properly compensated for that time, you have a right to exercise your rights. And, if your employer fires you because of that, it is likely that they will have a lawsuit on their hands.

What we touched on above is just the tip of the iceberg, as wrongful termination laws are different in each state and can also be very complicated issues. If you believe that your Pennsylvania-based employer has violated your rights, it is smart to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.