Employees have the right to speak up if there are illegal activities going on in a business. There are specific laws that apply if an employee reports those illegal activities. These laws are meant to encourage reports of illegal activities while discouraging...
Pittsburgh Legal Blog
Does your employer have a right to refuse reasonable accommodations?
Aging and changes in your life may make your ability to complete your work more difficult. Where you once could be on your feet for several hours at a time, you now need to rest more regularly. You used to do well with the hustle and bustle of the office, but you...
Pennsylvania whistleblowers, watch out for signs of retaliation
Blowing the whistle on unlawful and unethical workplace behaviors is a powerful tool against corruption. In a way, whistleblowers are the conscience of the workforce. They stand against corruption for others by showing people how to be fearless in the face of...
How do you get the school to help your child with special needs?
When your child struggles at school, you can feel like you have failed them as a parent. Getting them an accurate medical evaluation and diagnosis when appropriate can really turn things around for a child with special needs. Whether your grade school student is...
How companies discriminate against their most experienced employees
The longer you have been with a company or worked in a particular profession, the more experience and expertise you have. Workers with decades of knowledge in their field have a lot to offer the companies that employ them. Unfortunately, some businesses don't value...
What to know about student disciplinary policies and how they can impact your future
If you think back to when your school first notified you of your admission, you'll likely remember them providing you with a student handbook to read and then sign off saying that you'd done so. While you may have glossed over its contents, you probably shouldn't...
Can a school penalize your child for off-campus speech?
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed that it would hear a case about whether a school may punish children for off-campus speech. This First Amendment issue came up in a case involving a cheerleader in Pennsylvania. According to the story, the junior varsity cheerleader was...
Discrimination at college? Collect strong evidence to make a case
Your child works hard to get good grades in college. They have put forward as much effort as possible, seeking out tutoring and assistance from their professors. Despite that, their grades are not reflecting the hard work put in. If your child confided in you about...
Do you feel like your company is a Boys’ Club?
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...
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...