Respected Pennsylvania Lawyers Defends Employers Against Complaints

Determined Pittsburgh firm litigates wage and hour, discrimination and wrongful termination cases

At Feldstein Grinberg Lang & McKee, P.C. in Pittsburgh, we represent and advise employers in complex employment matters, including sexual harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour issues, and personnel practices. Employment law involves thousands of federal and state statutes, administrative regulations, and judicial decisions. Our experienced team partners with clients in a preventative and proactive manner to avoid problems before they develop and we deliver results to clients with current or future disputes.

Experienced counselors on wage and hour issues

Pennsylvania employers often face workers’ complaints and even litigation over compliance with state and federal wage and hour laws. We represent employers of various sizes in disputes over:

• Regular paydays — Pennsylvania’s Wage Payment and Collection Law requires employers to maintain regular pay days. Earned overtime wages must be paid in the next pay period.
• Overtime pay — Pennsylvania employers are required to pay 1.5 times the regular pay rate for all time worked after an employee exceeds 40 hours in a work week. Exceptions exist for salespeople, cab drivers and people in certain other professions.
• Minimum wage — Employers must abide by the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, which establishes the minimum hourly wage for both tipped and non-tipped employees.
• Wage deductions — When employees receive part of their pay in the form of tips, federal and state laws place restrictions on reducing the minimum wage rate to account for the “tip credit.” Other wage deductions can also be the basis of litigation

Penalties for wage and hour violations can be hefty. In addition to making up for back wages, a Pennsylvania employer found to be in violation of state or federal wage or hour laws may be ordered to pay liquidated damages and even fines. We work with our clients to ensure continued compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Lawyers defend against discrimination and wrongful termination claims

Pennsylvania employers with four or more employees must follow the state’s Human Relations Act, which bans discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, nationality, disability and service animal use. Unfair pay practices, harassment and failure to provide reasonable accommodation of a disability are examples of discrimination that can result in complaints to the Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission or U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Another form of discrimination is retaliation against employees who asserts their rights under federal or state antidiscrimination laws.

We counsel business owners on how to establish clear policies for preventing discrimination and for dealing with supervisors or employees who harass or show bias against others. We advise employers on the best ways to respond effectively to complaints so as to potentially avoid litigation. We also provide defenses against claims of discrimination or retaliation for reporting allegedly unlawful conduct. We advise clients on whether discrimination claims are likely to prevail at the PHRC or EEOC or in litigation. We collect evidence and conduct interviews to build your case and to uphold the rights and protections available under federal and state law.

Discrimination and retaliation claims can also result in lawsuits claiming wrongful termination. Usually, these suits can be filed only after the employee has proceeded through the EEOC claims process. However, we always stand ready to defend our business clients whenever such lawsuits arise.

Seasoned advisors handle contract issues and severance agreements

Pennsylvania is an “at will” state, which means that most employees are not hired subject to contracts. However, there may a business need for agreements with certain employees, notably executives, managers and workers with specialized knowledge. We can assist in the drafting of contracts that provide for compensation, bonuses and severance benefits. We also handle agreements prohibiting disclosure of trade secrets and proprietary information such as customer contacts and internal operations. Still other forms of contracts are covenants not to join a competitive firm in a set geographic area for a specified length of time.

Contact trusted Pennsylvania labor and employment attorneys for a free case evaluation

At Feldstein Grinberg Lang & McKee, P.C., we stand up for workers. If you have experienced workplace discrimination or wage withholding, call 412-471-0677 or contact us online to schedule a free, 15-minute case evaluation. Our Pittsburgh office represents clients throughout Pennsylvania.