Mansour Law, LLC Pennsylvania Legal Blog

Downsizing is the process of reducing the size of a workforce. People are being laid off from their jobs. Effectively, this isn’t much different than being fired for any of these employees, but it often happens en masse. For example, a company will cut 10% of its workforce, which could...

One of the key factors of many workplace sexual harassment cases is a power imbalance. This may have affected the relationship or even made it possible for the harassment to occur in the first place. One example of this is quid pro quo sexual harassment. This is often carried out...

A dog attack can be absolutely terrifying – and the aftermath of an attack can involve complex medical issues and legal claims.  Among the many possible complications from a dog bite, three issues stand out: infections, scars and post-traumatic stress disorder. Here’s what to keep in mind: 1. Infections can...

Some people have medical challenges that limit their career options. They may have acquired illnesses or congenital medical conditions. Regardless of the nature of someone’s medical challenges, they may require certain forms of support to do their job safely and efficiently. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses typically...

Wrongful termination is when you are fired in a way that violates your rights. For example, maybe the firing was discriminatory. Your employer decided to let you go based on your gender, your religion or your race. It’s illegal for them to do this, and you may need to seek...

Genetic discrimination in the workplace is unlawful at the federal level in the U.S. This type of discrimination can affect hiring decisions, promotions, job assignments and other employment practices. And while it is a lesser-known kind of mistreatment than, say racial or religious discrimination, it is important for workers to...

There’s been a lot of drama around the U.S. Supreme Court recently, certain justices and some highly divisive rulings. However, a recent (and rare) unanimous ruling will make it a little easier for employees to prevail in discrimination claims. The ruling addresses Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of...

Unless specified otherwise in an employment contract, workers in Pennsylvania are employed at will. What this means is that they can be terminated at any time without notice. At the same time, it also means that employees can walk away from a job if they want to without providing notice. ...

At a time when people can connect with each other any time of the day or night through all forms of electronic means, a person’s workday often doesn’t end when they go home. That can be a benefit when someone needs flexible hours. However, it also means that some people...

Employees have the right to expect to have a workplace free of discrimination. Yet, there are several different types of discrimination that still occur in Pennsylvania workplaces. One of them is racial discrimination. Racial discrimination can stem from various aspects of a person’s appearance. This can include their skin color,...

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) grants eligible employees the right to take unpaid, employment-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. Understanding when workers are entitled to FMLA leave can help both employees and employers to better ensure compliance with the law and to protect the rights of...

Have you recently suffered a serious injury? Maybe it happened in a fall, a dog bite or a car accident. You needed medical treatment, and you know that the injury was not your fault. You want to seek financial compensation from the person who was liable – such as the...

Losing a job is devastating, but when it seems unjust, fueled by prejudice or retaliation, more than your livelihood may be at stake. Wrongful termination violates your legal rights and leaves you with a deep sense of injustice. Fortunately, state and federal laws offer legal recourse. Holding your employer accountable...

The workplace should ideally be a safe and respectful environment where all employees feel valued and free from harassment or discrimination. However, not all people view it as such and some might subject others to sexual harassment, creating a hostile or uncomfortable atmosphere. Sexual harassment in the workplace can be...

Bullying in the workplace is a significant concern that can profoundly affect the mental health, productivity and overall well-being of employees. While not all forms of workplace bullying are legally actionable, certain conditions and circumstances may elevate bullying behavior from being unethical to illegal. Understanding the distinction is important for...

A common term that’s often used by employees is “quiet quitting.” It’s a term that essentially means that an employee is setting boundaries within their workplace and will only do the bare minimum of their work. Some employers are adopting this term and are “quiet firing” employees. Quiet firing is...

It’s easy to recognize obvious signs of workplace discrimination. If a business allows employees to use racial or homophobic slurs casually, that’s a sign of a workplace that isn’t protecting its employees. The same is true for businesses that won’t make even minor accommodations for disabled or pregnant employees. Most...

Any type of accident can result in serious injuries, but rear-end collisions are especially dangerous because the impacted driver doesn’t see what’s coming. In practical terms, this means that they cannot brace their body for impact.  What are some of the most common injuries associated with rear-end collisions?  Neck injuries...

You might have a valid discrimination claim against your employer if you have been treated unequally or unfairly based on a protected characteristic such as race, gender, age, religion or disability. However, proving your case often requires more than word of mouth. Presenting evidence supporting your claim is crucial when...

Dog attacks can cause severe injuries and leave psychological and physical scars. It can be a traumatic and distressing experience. Although dogs and people typically coexist peacefully, dogs attack millions of people every year. Children are especially vulnerable to these attacks, and they make up the majority of those who...

A hostile work environment can significantly impact an individual’s job satisfaction, performance, and well-being. It’s characterized by more than just occasional rudeness or isolated incidents. It involves either a particularly egregious scenario or a pattern of behavior that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work atmosphere. Understanding the difference between...

When a company has to downsize, its owner or CEO may express remorse. They may say that they wish they didn’t have to let people go, but there’s no choice. It’s just a financial decision to keep the company out of the red. The implication here is the downsizing couldn’t...

Workplace retaliation is the act of punishing an employee for engaging in legally protected activities, such as reporting harassment or discrimination or whistleblowing unethical or unsafe workplace behaviors. An employee may not immediately realize that they are suffering from workplace retaliation. Here are some examples of what retaliation looks like:...

Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is a serious issue that affects many women, impacting their professional lives and overall well-being. Recognizing and understanding what this form of discrimination looks like is the first step in combating it. It is important to understand that pregnancy discrimination can manifest in various ways,...

In the modern corporate world, navigating the complexities of employment can sometimes be as challenging as climbing a mountain. Wrongful termination is an issue that many individuals face, and it can profoundly impact one’s career, finances and well-being. Suppose this is your current predicament; you are likely wondering how to...

Dog bites can cause significant damage, and they’re a much more common occurrence than most people realize.  Roughly 4.5 million people get bitten every year in this country, and roughly one out of every five victims will be bitten seriously enough to require medical care. Since the cost of that...

Discrimination in the workplace is morally and legally wrong, but many employers continue this harmful practice. They may offer various excuses for allowing such conduct in the work environment, but most are invalid or do not apply. Citing bona fide occupational qualifications (BFOQ) is one way some Pennsylvania employers may...

If you can remember back to when you learned to drive, your instructor likely told you that you always need to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Other driver’s instructors will have told them that too. Yet a quick look around the roads will show that many...

There are a few different types of sexual harassment that can happen in the workplace, all of which are legally prohibited. One is known as quid pro quo sexual harassment. People sometimes hear this term relating to a recent case, but may not know exactly how this differentiates it from...

They say 40 is the new 20, which may be true regarding your confidence, health and physical abilities. However, it could be just the opposite in your workplace as some employers continue to make youth a condition of employment, albeit covertly. Millennials, known for being progressive and creative, are nearing...

It is illegal for companies to discriminate against employees due to protected characteristics. The owner of a company has to give everyone an equal opportunity to seek employment. Overt discrimination used to happen in previous generations, but it is far less common today. It is highly unlikely that a company...

American employees in the modern world have a deeper understanding of their employment rights than ever before. As such, workers can usually recognize when they are experiencing discrimination in the workplace. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) covers workplace discrimination, defines prohibited acts and guides victims toward a solution. To...

If someone tells you that there are three types of distracted driving, you may tell them that they are wrong. You know that there are actually many different types of distracted driving, from making a phone call to using a GPS system to talking to passengers. It is true that...

Applying for a new job is nerve-racking enough on its own, so you don’t want your résumé working against you.  While age discrimination is never legal, there are subtle ways HR departments can suss out a candidate’s likely age range simply by paying close attention to their submitted résumé. Below...

Some women in Pennsylvania become pregnant because they have made a concerted effort to conceive. For others, pregnancy develops as an unanticipated medical condition. Yet, regardless of whether or not a pregnant woman planned in advance to have a child, she will have a few challenges ahead of her if...

Bites sustained in a dog attack often result in horrific injuries, especially in young children. Although financial compensation will never erase what happened, it can help you cope with the economic and emotional aftermath. Unfortunately, the legal aspects of dog attacks are often fraught with complications and hurdles. However, you...

If you have suffered unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace, the circumstances you’ve been compelled to endure may have been truly traumatizing. And even if you wouldn’t describe your situation as traumatic, it is likely that the mistreatment you’ve been subjected to has caused you considerable stress. It...

It’s very important for people to know how common sexual harassment is and what it looks like. People are aware that it happens, but some types of activities may fly under the radar, as they don’t recognize that these are forms of harassment. With that in mind, let’s take a...

Requesting a disability accommodation at work is an important step towards ensuring equal opportunities and a supportive work environment if you have a disabling condition that makes certain aspects of your work experience more difficult than they need to be.  Employers are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled...

Employers are not allowed to discriminate against you on the basis of your age. If you’re 40 years old or older, that cannot be used as a reason to terminate your position, deny you a promotion or reject you for a job that you applied for. Your age is not...

Workers depend on their jobs not just for income but also for key benefits, like health insurance. Additionally, someone’s employment often contributes to their sense of self-esteem. Losing a job can be a major hardship, especially when the economy isn’t great or when someone works in a very specialized field....

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued some new guidance for employers regarding applicants and employees who are deaf or hearing impaired. This guidance isn’t the result of a new law or even a new rule. It’s intended to clarify the current law to employers, employees and courts making decisions on...

Most people understand that the law protects them from all forms of workplace harassment and discrimination. This means that your employer cannot punish you for filing a complaint if you are harassed at work. It also means that you cannot be reprimanded for participating in a protected activity like an...

Workers have numerous discrimination protection rights, which allow them to work efficiently while feeling safe – but discrimination can still happen at work. People often bring their biases with them into the workplace, and that negatively affects a lot of others. With that in mind, here are six kinds of...

The rights of pregnant and nursing employees often seem to be discussed less than the rights of other people who face discrimination and obstacles in the workplace. Since working through pregnancy and returning to work after giving birth are an economic necessity for many women – especially those who get...

Employers in the United States must ensure that discrimination and harassment aren’t present in the workplace. Racial and national origin discrimination are two problem areas for some companies, but this doesn’t mean that workers have to sit back and deal with illegal behavior. There are many ways that employees can...

Sexual harassment in the workplace can take many forms, but one particularly insidious yet rampant type is known as quid pro quo harassment. The Latin term loosely translates to ‘this for that’, and it accurately describes the dynamics of this type of harassment. Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when...

Workers coping with the consequences of misconduct by their employers are often left struggling financially. Employer misconduct might include discrimination, such as denying someone fair pay or employment opportunities based on protected characteristics like race or sex. Other workers may need to bring a claim because of unpaid wages or...

Whether you are a customer care agent responsible for answering customer calls or a cashier at the local grocery store, just about every job involves interacting with people in one way or another. Some of these people could be your co-workers. Others, however, could be your customers or independent contractors....

Over a million workers are injured on duty every year in the US, with some injuries proving to be fatal. Typically, companies must be covered by workers’ compensation insurance that provides cover for workers who were injured on the job.  Filing for workers’ comp is a legal entitlement, and it...

At-will employment is used in most of the states in the U.S., although it is uncommon in the rest of the world. It’s important to understand how these employment laws work and the benefits and drawbacks that they provide for you. It’s also important to note that you are not...

Pregnancy will take its toll on even the healthiest woman’s body. Some women experience morning sickness that leaves them weak during early pregnancy. Others have issues with gestational diabetes or high blood pressure that put their safety in the health of their unborn baby at risk. Thankfully, many women are...

As with most other states, Pennsylvania follows the principle of at-will employment. What this essentially means is that employers can terminate workers at a time of their choosing. At the same time, employees are also free to leave without providing notice.  Nonetheless, there are laws that prohibit employers from getting...

The majority of successful companies have a diverse workforce, which includes older workers. Older workers typically bring a lot to the table, such as composure, work ethic and experience. Sadly, this is not always how older workers are viewed, and stereotypes still very much exist.  Debunking some of the more...

Both Pennsylvania and federal laws prohibit employers from discriminating against their employees for numerous reasons – and they also prevent employer retaliation in response to a legally protected activity that their employer may not like. Unfortunately, workplace retaliation is not uncommon. Retaliation can come directly from above (through your manager,...

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be a major issue for those who need to live with it. Yet when they take the wheel of a vehicle, it can become a potentially lethal danger to them and others. That’s not to say OSA sufferers can’t drive. An estimated 25 million adults...

What do you think of when someone mentions distracted driving? Maybe you think about the person who almost ran you over today because they were talking on their phone while driving. Perhaps you recall how your kids drove you to distraction on the long drive to your mom’s last Thanksgiving....

Federal and state laws protect workers against various types of employment discrimination. Discrimination based on medical conditions and physical disabilities can deprive individuals of an opportunity to support themselves and contribute to society because of a medical issue outside of their control. Disability discrimination, like all other forms of discrimination,...

On August 5, 2021, the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (“MMA”) allows medical marijuana patients to sue their employers for wrongful discharge or other forms of discrimination based on their status as a licensed medical marijuana user. Needless to say, this is a massive win...

Law360 (April 28, 2021, 5:06 PM EDT) — Pot giant Harvest Health & Recreation Inc. faces allegations of sex discrimination and retaliation from a former employee who claims that in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, he was unfairly fired right after the industry’s busy 4/20 holiday. In the...

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, one of the most common questions I’ve been asked as a Pennsylvania employment lawyer is whether a business can legally fire an employee for missing work due to COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19. This issue has not been decided by...