Pennsylvania Employment Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Pennsylvania employment attorneys who handle PHRA discrimination, wage, retaliation, and wrongful-termination claims for workers across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading. Whether you're facing a finance or healthcare termination, a non-compete fight, or unpaid overtime, we'll match you with the right attorney — at no cost.

File with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) within 180 days of the discriminatory act. PHRC has a work-share with the EEOC. After 1 year at PHRC without resolution, or upon right-to-sue, you can file in state court.
PHRA covers race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age (40+), sex (PHRC has interpreted to include sexual orientation and gender identity in guidance), national origin, non-job-related handicap or disability, and GED status. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local ordinances explicitly covering sexual orientation and gender identity.
Sometimes. PA applies a reasonableness test on time, geography, scope, and protectable interest. PA courts permit blue-pencil reformation. Critically, PA requires adequate consideration — continued at-will employment alone is generally insufficient. Healthcare non-competes face heightened scrutiny.
Pennsylvania's minimum wage tracks federal at $7.25/hour and has not been raised since 2009. Tipped employees may receive $2.83/hour direct wages if tips bring the total to the full minimum. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia paid-sick ordinances apply to large employers.
Not at the state level. Philadelphia's Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Ordinance and Pittsburgh's Paid Sick Days Act require paid sick leave for covered employers within those cities.
No. Pennsylvania recognizes a public-policy wrongful-discharge claim for workers' comp retaliation (Shick v. Shirey).
Not without legal review. PHRA, federal Title VII / ADA / ADEA / FLSA / FMLA, and the narrow PA public-policy exception preserve valuable claims.

Why Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA, 43 P.S. § 951 et seq.) prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age (40+), sex, national origin, non-job-related handicap or disability, and GED status at employers with 4+ employees. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not statutorily protected at state level but covered federally under Title VII per Bostock; Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) has interpreted PHRA's 'sex' to include sexual orientation and gender identity in guidance. Charges are filed with the PHRC within 180 days. The Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance and Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances Title 5 add broader local protections. PA is at-will with a narrow public-policy exception (Geary v. United States Steel Corp.; Shick v. Shirey). Non-competes are evaluated under reasonableness with strict consideration requirements; PA courts permit blue-pencil reformation. Pennsylvania minimum wage tracks federal $7.25/hour (state has not increased since 2009). Overtime under PA Minimum Wage Act and FLSA. Pennsylvania has no state paid sick or family leave (though Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local paid-sick ordinances).

When Do You Need a Employment Attorney in Pennsylvania?

Our network includes Pennsylvania employment attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Employment Cases in Pennsylvania

From the moment you connect with a Pennsylvania employment attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Missing the 180-day PHRC filing deadline
Signing a non-compete during employment without realizing PA requires additional consideration
Signing a severance release without consulting an attorney
Talking to HR without documenting in writing afterward
Not preserving emails, Slack, and texts before being locked out
Posting about the dispute on social media

Common Pennsylvania Employment Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Pennsylvania Employment Attorneys Cost?

33%

Typical starting contingency fee — you pay nothing unless your attorney recovers compensation for you.

Pennsylvania employment attorneys work on contingency or hybrid arrangements — typically 33%–40% of recovery. PHRA, PA Wage Payment and Collection Law, and federal employment statutes shift attorney fees to the employer when the worker prevails.

What Can Your Pennsylvania Employment Compensation Include?

Back Pay
Lost wages and benefits from termination to judgment under PHRA and federal law. Uncapped.
Front Pay
Future lost earnings when reinstatement isn't feasible.
Compensatory Damages
Emotional distress and out-of-pocket losses. Federal Title VII / ADA cap $50K–$300K. PHRA does NOT allow compensatory damages for pain and suffering in PHRC administrative proceedings, but in court actions allows non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Not available under PHRA. Federal Title VII / ADA punitives subject to federal cap.
Liquidated Damages
PA Wage Payment and Collection Law: liquidated damages (25% of unpaid wages or $500, whichever greater) plus attorney fees. FLSA: doubles unpaid wages. ADEA: doubles back pay for willful violations.
Attorney Fees and Costs
Prevailing employees recover reasonable attorney fees under PHRA, WPCL, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and FMLA.
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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.