Employment issues can affect your income, your reputation, and your future. At Freeburn Law, we represent employees across Pennsylvania who are facing unfair treatment at work. Whether you were wrongfully terminated, denied medical leave, or subjected to discrimination, our team is ready to stand up for your rights.
With offices across Pennsylvania, we work with employees in communities large and small, providing practical guidance and strong representation. Our approach starts with listening to your story and understanding what happened. From there, we build a strategy designed to protect your rights. If you’re experiencing conflicts in the work place, reach out to us today at (717) 777-7777 to discuss your legal options.
What Is Employment Law in Pennsylvania?
Employment law covers the rights and responsibilities between employers and employees. In Pennsylvania, both state and federal laws protect workers from unlawful treatment in hiring practices, termination, wage disputes, workplace conditions, and leave policies.
Many workers are surprised to learn that even in an “at-will” employment state like Pennsylvania, employers cannot fire someone for illegal reasons. Laws prohibit discrimination, retaliation, and interference with protected rights such as medical leave.
Types of Employment Disputes We Handle
Our employment law attorneys handle a wide range of workplace disputes, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations, FMLA issues, and retaliation. We explain your rights in clear terms, help you understand your options, and guide you through each step of the process so you can make informed decisions about your future.
Wrongful Termination Claims in Pennsylvania
Losing your job can be overwhelming, especially if you believe the decision was unfair or unlawful. While Pennsylvania allows at-will employment, termination cannot be based on discrimination, retaliation, or violations of public policy.
Wrongful termination cases often involve situations where an employee was fired after reporting misconduct, requesting protected leave, or raising concerns about workplace safety. Our team carefully reviews employment contracts, internal communications, and company policies to determine whether your rights were violated.
Workplace Discrimination and Harassment
Federal and Pennsylvania laws protect employees from discrimination based on protected characteristics. This protection applies to hiring, promotions, discipline, pay, and termination.
Workplace discrimination may involve unequal treatment, hostile work environments, or retaliation after reporting misconduct. Common protected categories include:
- Race
- Sex and pregnancy
- Age (40 and older)
- Disability
- Religion
- National origin
If you are experiencing harassment or discriminatory treatment, it is important to act promptly. Documentation, internal complaints, and agency filings often play a role in protecting your claim.
FMLA and Medical Leave Compliance
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical and family reasons. Pennsylvania employees may also have rights under state law or employer policies.
Problems arise when employers deny valid leave requests, interfere with approved leave, or retaliate against employees for taking time off. Some workers return from medical leave only to find their position changed or eliminated. These situations may violate federal law.
Our firm helps employees determine whether they qualify for FMLA protections and whether their employer complied with the law.
Wage and Hour Violations
Employees have the right to be paid properly for the work they perform. Wage and hour disputes can involve unpaid overtime, misclassification as an independent contractor, off-the-clock work, or failure to pay earned wages.
Both federal law and Pennsylvania law set standards for minimum wage and overtime. Employers who ignore these requirements can be held accountable. If you suspect your employer has not paid you correctly, our team can review your pay records and advise you on possible next steps.
Retaliation and Whistleblower Protections
It is illegal for an employer to punish an employee for asserting legal rights. Retaliation claims often arise after an employee reports discrimination, files a complaint, requests medical leave, or raises concerns about unlawful conduct.
Retaliation from your employer may include things like termination, demotion, reduced hours, pay cuts, or other adverse actions. These cases often require careful review of timelines and internal communications.
Filing Deadlines and Procedures
Employment disputes often involve strict filing deadlines and specific procedural requirements. In many discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases, employees must first file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) before a lawsuit can move forward.
These complaints typically must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination, extended in some situations to 300 days when both state and federal laws are involved. Missing these agency deadlines can affect your ability to pursue compensation in court, which is why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible if you believe your rights have been violated.
What Remedies Are Available in Employment Law Cases?
When an employment law claim is successful, the law may provide several forms of relief. Depending on the facts and the statute involved, remedies can include reinstatement to your job, back pay for lost wages, front pay for future losses, and compensation for emotional distress and other harms. In many cases, courts can also award attorney’s fees and litigation costs, helping to reduce the financial burden on employees who assert their rights.
Our goal in every case is to pursue the remedies that best address the harm you have experienced and help you move forward.
How Freeburn Law Handles Employment Law Cases
Employment disputes can involve tight deadlines and detailed procedural rules. Many claims must first be filed with a government agency before a lawsuit can move forward. Missing a deadline can affect your ability to recover compensation.
Our team begins by reviewing your employment history, relevant documents, and any communications related to your claim. We explain your options in plain language and outline a path forward that fits your goals. Some cases resolve through negotiation or agency proceedings, while others require litigation.
Pennsylvania Employment Law Attorneys Serving Statewide
Freeburn Law represents employees across Pennsylvania. With offices in Harrisburg, York, Lewistown, Lancaster, Selinsgrove, Lebanon, Kingston, King of Prussia, Johnstown, and Pittsburgh, we are positioned to assist workers throughout the state.
If you are facing wrongful termination, discrimination, FMLA violations, wage disputes, or retaliation, contact the employment law team at Freeburn Law for a confidential consultation. We are ready to review your situation and help you take the next step forward.
Disclaimer: Depending on the circumstances, Freeburn Law may associate with or refer matters to other attorneys or law firms to ensure clients receive appropriate legal representation.
