Do you feel like the odd woman out at work? Are you one of the few female employees at the company, and do you often feel like the rest of your coworkers just do not take you seriously? If so, the company could be suffering from a “Boys’ Club” culture that is never...
Employment Law
What actions make you eligible for whistleblower protections?
Whistleblowers have federal protection from retaliation by their employers. The company that you work for cannot penalize you for calling attention to illegal actions or inappropriate behavior. Understanding what circumstances might qualify you as a whistleblower can...
Atheists have protections from religious discrimination at work
As someone who lives and works in the United States, you have the right to have your religious preferences respected by others. The First Amendment gives you the right to believe what you want and to be free from social consequences for your religious beliefs and...
Can I take paid time off work if my child is ill?
Balancing work and family can be challenging, especially when a family member is sick. The U.S. is one of the few countries that does not give employees paid time off when they need to care for a family member. In Pennsylvania, you are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid...
Was I a victim of sexual harassment at work?
When the MeToo Movement swept the United States in 2017, many were surprised to find out how rampant sexual harassment is in the workplace. Others realized that they had been victims of sexual harassment at one time or worked in a hostile workplace, where subtle forms...
What are my rights at work while I am pregnant?
Federal and Pennsylvania labor laws prohibit employers from discriminating against pregnant workers. You have a right to request a reasonable workplace accommodation and to remain employed without experiencing harassment or a threat of termination. According to the...
3 subtle signs of workplace retaliation
Under most circumstances, Pennsylvania employers enjoy wide latitude to staff their enterprises as they see fit. Still, your employer may not violate federal or state employment laws. For example, a supervisor may not use your race, religion, national origin or sex as...
My job changed while I was on maternity leave. Is that legal?
In this day and age, you probably know that your employer cannot terminate you because of a pregnancy-related leave. Yet, while pregnancy discrimination is illegal, a maternity leave situation can get complicated. During your leave, your attention is rightfully on...