Understanding Employment Laws in Philadelphia

Employment law is a broad and complicated area of specialized legal practice.  It can encompass anything from a wrongful termination lawsuit to a sexual harassment grievance to any other imaginable dispute involving employee relations, discrimination, wages and child labor laws.

If you face any sort of legal dispute issue involving Philadelphia employment laws, you need the services of an employment attorney from an experienced law firm.

Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania employment law

In Philadelphia, attorneys encounter many common misconceptions and questions about employment law.  Your law firm's attorney, acting on such misconceptions, can adversely affect your future. The following are common questions answered by employment law firms.

What is at-will employment?

At-will employment means that the employer may let the employee go at any time so long as the reason for doing so is not based on discriminatory or other illegal grounds.  Conversely, at-will employees can leave their jobs of their own free will at any time.  In contrast, an employee/employer relationship based on a contract is governed by that contract, which may define additional terms necessary to end the employment.

What laws must an employer follow when hiring?

Employers must not discriminate illegally based on race, national origin, gender, pregnancy, age, disability or religion when hiring.  They should also protect the privacy of a potential employee by protecting confidential information provided by that person, and by disclosing any credit or background checks performed during the hiring process.

Can employers monitor the internet and e-mail usage of employees?

According to a Supreme Court decision, employees have very few rights to privacy when using the computer systems of their employers.  Employers may monitor web traffic, limit the internet usage of employees, and reprimand or punish employees who used their computers for other unapproved purposes.  E-mails are considered within this area if they are sent using the company e-mail system.

What laws regulate wages and hours in the workplace?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs minimum wage on the federal level, as well as overtime pay and child labor regulations.  It covers most employers, including both governmental and private employers.

Philadelphia employment law attorneys

At the law firm of Touchstone & Associates, P.C., we are eager to apply our experience to your case.  Please review the information on our website and contact us for a consultation.  It is our philosophy that a consultation with Touchstone & Associates is an opportunity to earn your trust, your confidence and the privilege of representing you.  Contact us today.