Employees should be able to work free from harassment and discrimination in Lancaster, PA. They are entitled to a safe work environment and to be paid fair wages for their services. When employers violate workers’ rights or mistreat workers, our Lancaster employment lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates fight to protect their rights.
Our award-winning legal team has represented the rights of Pennsylvania employees since 2008. Our top-rated lawyers have over 120 years of combined legal experience in workers’ compensation law and employment matters.
If you have questions about employment and labor law matters, contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced employment lawyers in Lancaster answer your questions and explain your rights so you can make informed decisions about your options, so call now at (717) 616-2954.
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How Can Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help You With an Employment Dispute in Lancaster, PA?
You might fear employer retaliation if you stand up for your rights at work. The fear of losing your job can be intimidating. Experienced legal representation can help you face problems at work, including harassment and employment discrimination.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our legal team has recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients. Our law firm has the resources to pursue complex employment disputes. Regardless of what you are facing, you can trust that our Lancaster employment lawyers fiercely fight to right the wrong you experienced at work.
When you hire Marzzacco Niven & Associates to represent you in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, our lawyers can:
- Listen to what happened to you and provide honest, straightforward advice based on the current state and federal labor laws
- Analyze the facts and circumstances in your case to determine what federal and state laws your employer violated
- Gather evidence supporting your claim for employer misconduct
- Prepare and file claims with the appropriate government agencies
- File lawsuits with state and federal courts as necessary
- Handle all aspects of your case and keep you updated on the progress
- Aggressively negotiate with your employer to resolve the matter in your best interests
You deserve to be treated fairly in the workplace. Our Lancaster employment attorneys want to help if your employer violates your rights. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
What State and Federal Employment Laws Apply in My Lancaster Employment Dispute Case?
The federal government has enacted numerous laws protecting employees from discrimination, harassment, and other employer misconduct. Additionally, Pennsylvania state employment laws protect workers in our state.
Our Lancaster employment attorneys handle all types of work-related disputes. We have experience handling violations of state and federal law, including:
- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA)
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
- The Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law
- The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
- Pennsylvania’s Equal Pay Law
- The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
- The Minimum Wage Act of 1968
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
- Pennsylvania’s Whistleblower Act
The circumstances and facts in your case determine which laws apply to your situation. In some cases, federal and state laws apply. Our employment lawyers in Lancaster discuss the options for filing claims and explain which option gives you the best chance of achieving your desired outcome.
Protecting Pennsylvania Workers in Lancaster from Employment Discrimination
Two fundamental employment laws protect employees from being discriminated against or harassed based on a protected class. Our Lancaster employment law attorneys have extensive experience handling matters under each of them.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees based on their members in a protected class. The protected classes include:
- Color
- Race
- National Origin
- Sex
- Religion
This federal anti-employment discrimination law applies to employers with 15 or more employees. It protects all aspects of employment.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA)
Like federal law, the PHRA prohibits employment discrimination based on protected classes. However, the PHRA applies to more workers. The law covers employers in Pennsylvania with four or more employees.
The state law also expands the protected classes covered by the law. The PHRA prohibits discrimination against an employee based on the person’s:
- Religion
- Ancestry
- Color
- Sex
- Age
- Disability or handicap
- Use of a support animal because of a physical impairment, blindness, or deafness
- National origin
- Race
There is a crossover among the protected classes. Therefore, you could have a claim under state or federal law. Our attorneys will explain which option gives you the best chance of receiving maximum compensation for damages.
Marzzacco Niven & Associates Represents Employees in All Types of Employment Law Disputes
Problems at work are not always based on harassment or discrimination. Instead, employers may violate any number of employment laws designed to protect workers from employer misconduct and unfair treatment in the workplace.
Our Lancaster labor lawyers can help you with claims involving:
- Racial discrimination
- Wrongful termination
- Wage and hour disputes
- Sexual harassment
- Employer retaliation
- Sex-based discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender
- Disability discrimination and claims under the American With Disabilities Act
- Employer harassment
- Wage discrimination
- Whistleblower complaints
- Age discrimination
- Non-compete clauses
- Review of employment agreements and employee handbooks
- National Labor Relations Act claims
- Vacation, PTO, and sick time disputes
- Workers’ compensation claims
- A hostile work environment
- Independent contractor claims
Sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and employment discrimination claims are some of the most common violations of employment laws. Our employment law attorneys in Lancaster can help you with all of these matters.
Sexual Harassment Claims in Lancaster, PA
Sex-based harassment in the workplace is one of the most common types of harassment employees face. Roughly 81% of women and 21% of men report being victims of workplace sexual harassment.
Examples of sexual harassment at work include:
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors
- Being demoted or refusing to promote for refusing to engage in sexual conduct
- Verbal abuse
- Retaliation for filing a sexual harassment claim
- Unfair treatment based on sexual orientation or gender
- Being subjected to vulgar or offensive sexual language, jokes, or images
Sexual harassment at work is a serious matter. You do not have to “suffer through” the situation. We can help you hold your employer accountable for their wrongdoing, including failing to investigate reports or take measures to stop the harassment.
Wrongful Termination Claims in Lancaster, PA
Even though Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state, employers cannot fire employees in violation of labor laws. You could have been wrongfully terminated if you were fired because you:
- Filed a workers’ compensation claim
- Requested time off to serve on jury duty
- Took leave under the FMLA
- Requested reasonable accommodations for a disability
- Reported a safety violation
- Filed a harassment claim
- Refused to participate in an illegal activity
- Demanded unpaid wages
In addition to wrongful termination, you could have a constructive discharge claim. Constructive discharge arises when an employer creates an intolerable work environment that would cause a reasonable person to quit.
Employment Discrimination in Lancaster, PA
Workplace discrimination is one of the most common employment law violations workers face. Examples of employment discrimination include:
- Classifying or segregating employees
- Refusing to hire someone or interview a job applicant
- Intentional harassment
- Terminating employment
- Sexual harassment
- Paying different wages and benefits
- Mandating a dress code target to specific employees
- Limiting promotions, training, and job opportunities
- Denying opportunities based on a person’s marital or relationship status
- Using biased recruitment and hiring practices
- Applying different disciplinary actions for the same conduct
If an employer taxes the above actions because a person is in a protected class, the employee could have a claim under Pennsylvania or federal employment discrimination laws.
What Types of Compensation Can You Receive for an Employment Law Case in Pennsylvania?
The damages you can receive for an employment law case depend on the facts of your case and the law that your employer violated. The remedies vary but could include:
- Lost wages and benefits
- Reinstatement or promotion
- Legal fees and litigation costs
- Back pay for wrongful termination
- Payment of unfairly withheld raises and benefits
- Reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
- Non-economic damages, including loss of reputation, emotional distress, inconvenience, and embarrassment
- Punitive damages to punish the employer for malicious conduct and intentional wrongdoing
Our Lancaster employment attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates thoroughly assess the types of damages you are entitled to receive. We calculate the maximum value of damages and aggressively pursue a settlement or jury award for that amount.
What Are the Deadlines for Filing Employment Misconduct Claims in Lancaster, PA?
Your time to file a claim for employment disputes is limited. The filing deadline depends on the type of claim being filed.
For example, claims for unpaid wages can be filed within three years of the date the wages should have been paid. However, discrimination claims have a much shorter deadline. Generally, employment discrimination and sexual harassment claims must be filed within 180 days, but the deadline for an EEOC claim could be extended to 300 days if state law applies to the case.
Missing a deadline could result in losing your right to pursue a legal claim. If you believe your employer violated your rights, call Marzzacco Niven & Associates now to talk with an employment lawyer in Lancaster.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lancaster Employment Lawyers
Our experienced Lancaster employment law attorneys at Marzzacco Niven & Associates are here to help you when you are being treated unfairly at work. Contact our office to schedule a free case assessment to discuss your situation. Our legal team will analyze what is happening to you and advise you on the best course of action to protect your rights and best interests.
Visit Our Law Office in Lancaster,PA
Marzzacco Niven & Associates
2173 Embassy Dr Ste 123, Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 616-2954