If you're a business owner in Pennsylvania or any other state, it is important that you take steps to avoid creating a hostile working environment. However, actions such as periodically making rude statements toward an employee generally don't create hostile working...
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3 tips for ethical interviewing
Interviews are a vital part of the hiring process for employers and candidates alike. You are getting to know each other, and impressions are important. This is also the part of the process where many liabilities emerge. You need to be careful to find candidates who...
How to prevent your business partnership from failing
One step in the process of establishing a business is deciding on its structure, such as sole proprietorship or an LLC. Perhaps you are thinking of switching entities. Either way, you may choose to go with a partnership for its benefits of sharing responsibilities and...
3 easy ways to prevent employment discrimination
To create a successful business, you have done everything you can to maximize profits through operations, pricing and customer service. You take care of investors and hire the best people to improve your business. But have you prepared for one of the most common...
Legal issues common among staffing agencies
If you own and operate your own staffing agency, you face unique liability issues that differ broadly from those faced by many traditional businesses. In addition to having to comply with all laws and regulations pertaining to taxes, employee benefits and so on, you...
Key factors to consider regarding employee classifications
Employers are expected to treat their employees with fairness, respect and dignity. One of the regulations in place to ensure this is the Fair Labor Standards Act. This act, along with other laws, helps to regulate the relationship between an employer and employee....
FLSA violations in the gas drilling industry
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 protects employees by establishing minimum wage, overtime pay and other regulations to ensure fair employment. Businesses do well abiding by these laws to prevent expensive litigation from mistreated workers. Not all lawsuits stem...
Avoiding employer liability for workplace harassment
As an employer in the United States, you have a duty to prevent and address harassment that occurs in your place of business. Taking steps to do so is extremely important, and it can also help you down the line in the event an employee files a harassment claim against...
Preventing FMLA abuse and disputes
As a Pittsburgh employer, you are required to provide your workers with certain benefits and protections. One of those benefits involves the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It was created to provide workers with unpaid time off to care for themselves and...
What PA employers should know about wrongful discharge
As in many other states, employment in Pennsylvania is generally at will. This means that, in the absence of a contract stating otherwise, an employer may fire an employee for any reason, and an employee may quit for any reason. However, the law also provides certain...