30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407

Employment law covers a wide variety of issues in the workplace. At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our Carbondale employment attorneys handle all types of workplace disputes. We protect employees’ rights to a safe work environment, fair wages, freedom from employment discrimination, and protection from employer retaliation.

Our award-winning, top-rated employment lawyers in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, have over 120 years of combined legal experience handling employment law and workers’ compensation cases. We have represented employees in Pennsylvania since 2008.

If you have questions about employment matters or workplace-related issues, contact our law firm at (717) 995-8810 for a free consultation with one of our Carbondale employment lawyers. Your consultation with an attorney is confidential and private.

How Our Carbondale Employment Lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help You With an Employment Dispute

How Our Carbondale Employment Lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help You With an Employment Dispute

Unfortunately, your employer might not have your best interest in mind when they set policies, rules, and procedures. Instead, your employer might exploit workers to benefit the employer’s interests. Employees have rights in the workplace, which are protected by federal and state employment laws.

Employment statutes and regulations are complicated. As experienced Carbondale employment attorneys, we understand these laws and how they apply to various employment-related disputes. No one deserves to be mistreated or feel unsafe in their workplace.

At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our dedicated employment lawyers support our clients throughout the process of filing a complaint or lawsuit. We aggressively defend your rights and seek fair compensation for damages. 

We care about what has happened to you. Our lawyers provide personalized, dedicated legal services for workers in Carbondale. When you hire our law firm to handle your case, we can:

  • Listen to you as you describe your employment-related issue 
  • Explain your legal rights as an employee and your options for pursuing an employment dispute
  • Analyze the facts of your case, apply relevant federal and state labor laws, and develop a strategy that gives you the best chance of achieving your desired outcome
  • Gather evidence to support your claim, including working with investigators and experts as necessary
  • File claims and lawsuits with federal and state agencies and courts
  • Handle all aspects related to your case
  • Aggressively pursue an outcome that fairly compensates you for damages and harm caused by employer misconduct 
  • Protect your best interests and goals throughout your case

Do you have questions about Pennsylvania employee rights? Do you need to discuss a matter that happened at your workplace? If so, contact our law office to schedule a free case evaluation with an employment attorney in Carbondale, PA. 

Employment Laws That Protect the Rights of Pennsylvania Workers in Carbondale 

Numerous employment laws protect workers’ rights. Federal and state employment laws protect you from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The laws also punish employers for misconduct and acts that violate the law or employee rights.

Our Carbondale employment lawyers handle all types of workplace disputes and matters. Examples of state and federal employment laws our attorneys have experience with include, but are not limited to:

Federal and state employment and anti-discrimination laws overlap. Therefore, more than one employment law might apply to the facts and circumstances in your case. 

Our Carbondale employment law attorneys analyze all aspects of your situation to determine which laws apply. Then, we develop a strategy and plan that gives you the best chance of achieving your desired outcome and fair compensation for damages.

Our Carbondale Employment Attorneys Handle All Types of Employer-Employee Disputes

Problems at work often lead to disputes and allegations of misconduct. The above laws can lead to claims and lawsuits related to the following:

Our employment attorneys in Carbondale have experience handling all of the above matters ad more. Call us to speak with an attorney if you are unsure whether your employer has violated your rights or employment laws. 

Employment Discrimination Is an Ongoing Problem for Many Workers 

Even though employers face harsh penalties for violating employment discrimination laws, employees continue to be harassed and discriminated against in the workplace. Our Carbondale employment lawyers can help you fight employment discrimination by filing claims under state and federal labor laws. 

Two essential employment laws that fight discrimination in the workplace are:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

This federal law prohibits an employer from engaging in practices that discriminate against job applicants and employees based on five protected classes:

  • Sex
  • Color
  • National origin
  • Religion
  • Race

Title VII applies to employers who have 15 or more workers. It protects employees from workplace discrimination throughout all aspects of their employment. 

The Pennsylvania Human Rights Act (PHRA)

The PHRA is the state version of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. It provides similar employee protection from discrimination at work. However, the PHRA expands the protected classes and applies to more Pennsylvania employers.

Employers in Pennsylvania with four or more workers are subject to the provisions of the PHRA. It is against the law for employers to discriminate against workers based on their:

  • Color
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Race
  • Handicap or disability
  • Ancestry
  • National origin
  • Religion
  • The use of a support animal because of blindness, physical impairment, or deafness

There is some crossover between the PHRA and Title VII in the protected classes. Therefore, you might have the right to file an employment discrimination complaint under either law. 

Our Carbondale employment attorneys determine which option gives you the best chance of winning your case. Then, we explain your legal options, the potential outcomes, and why we recommend a specific strategy based on the law and the facts of your case.

Examples of Employment Discrimination in Carbondale, PA

Discrimination in the workplace can take many forms. Sometimes, employment discrimination is so subtle a worker might not realize their employer is violating the law. In other cases, employers overtly discriminate against specific employees.

Common examples of workplace discrimination include:

  • Terminating employment (wrongful termination)
  • Segregating or classifying employees
  • Limiting training or job opportunities
  • Demoting an employee without cause
  • Refusing to promote an employee who earned the promotion
  • Using biased employee recruitment and hiring practices
  • Sexual harassment
  • Intentional harassment
  • Refusing to interview or hire someone without cause
  • Applying a different disciplinary policy for the same conduct 
  • Denying job opportunities based on a person’s relationship or marital status
  • Paying different benefits and wages
  • Mandating a dress code that targets specific workers
  • Denying employee benefits 
  • Assigning an employee a less desirable shift 
  • Denying a worker the use of company facilities 

When an employer engages in these practices based on a person’s inclusion in a protected class, it is discrimination. Therefore, if you experienced any of these actions or other forms of discrimination, you could have a claim under Pennsylvania or federal employment laws.

Wrongful Termination Claims in Carbondale, PA

Pennsylvania is an “at will” employment state. An employer can fire an employee without disclosing a reason if the termination does not violate the law or breach an employment agreement. 

Wrongful termination can be difficult to identify. However, examples of situations that could lead to a wrongful termination claim include firing an employee because they:

  • Demanded payment of unpaid wages or earnings
  • Filed a workers’ compensation claim
  • Served on jury duty
  • Requested reasonable accommodations for a disability 
  • Refused to engage in illegal acts
  • Filed a harassment or discrimination claim
  • Took protected leave under the FMLA
  • Reported a safety violation 

Sometimes, an employer “forces” an employee to quit, resulting in a constructive discharge. This situation occurs when the employer creates an intolerable or hostile work environment. You would need to prove that the conditions would cause a reasonable person to quit their job. 

Filing Sexual Harassment Claims in Carbondale, PA

Sexual harassment in the workplace is another common violation of employment laws. About 21% of men and 81% of women report sexual harassment at work. Examples of being sexually harassed at work include, but are not limited to:

  • Requests or demands for sexual favors
  • Verbal abuse and/or threats
  • Being subjected to unwanted sexual advances
  • Use of offensive sexual language, images, or jokes
  • Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment
  • Being denied a promotion you earned or being demoted without cause for refusing to engage in sexual conduct
  • Unfair treatment based on your gender or sexual orientation

Being sexually harassed at work can cause emotional distress, physical illnesses, and mental anguish. Our Carbondale sexual harassment lawyers work to hold your employer and all responsible parties liable for their actions. 

Can I Receive Compensation for Damages if My Employer Violates My Rights?

The damages you can receive for an employment law case depend on the type of violation your employer committed and the facts of the case. However, common remedies for employment law cases include the following:

  • Payment of lost wages and benefits
  • Reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees, litigation costs, medical bills, and therapy costs
  • Non-economic damages, including emotional distress, embarrassment, damage to your reputation, and inconvenience
  • Back pay for wrongful termination
  • Reinstatement of your job 
  • Promotions you earned
  • Payment of unjustly withheld benefits and raises
  • Punitive damages awarded for an employer’s intentional wrongdoing or malicious conduct

Our Carbondale employment attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates work to recover the maximum compensation for your case. We aggressively pursue all forms of compensation for claims.

Deadlines for Filing Employment Misconduct Claims in Pennsylvania 

You must file employment disputes and complaints before the deadline, or you lose your right to pursue a claim. The deadline depends on the type of employment law that applies to your situation and circumstances.

In most cases, you must file claims for unpaid wages within three years of the date the wages should have been paid to you. Sexual harassment and discrimination claims have a filing deadline of 180 days. However, the deadline might extend to 300 days for an EEOC claim if the case falls under state law.

Don’t miss your chance to hold your employer accountable for employment law violations. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to discuss your case with a lawyer. Prompt legal advice is the best way to avoid missing filing deadlines. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Carbondale Employment Lawyers

Are you facing an employee-employer issue? If so, please get in touch with our law firm to discuss your situation with a Carbondale employment law attorney. We are here to help you as you seek to protect your rights as an employee and recover compensation for damages you have incurred because of an employer’s misconduct.