Employment Laws in Pennsylvania

Employers in Pennsylvania must conform to these state rules relating to the employment relationship.

Employee does not include persons:

• employed in agriculture
• employed in domestic service
• who reside in the home of their employer
• who are employed by their parents, spouse or child

Employer includes employers of four or more persons within Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth and all of its political subdivisions.

For purposes of the law governing discriminatory practices based on race, color, age, sex, national origin and non-job-related disability, the definition of employer does not include religious, fraternal, charitable and sectarian corporations and associations employing four or more persons in Pennsylvania, except corporations or associations supported in whole or in part, by governmental appropriations.

Prohibited Employment Discrimination

It is an unlawful discriminatory employment practices for employers to make employment decisions or refuse to hire job applicants on the basis of the applicants':

• race
• color
• religious creed
• ancestry
• age (40 or older)
• sex
• national origin
• non-job-related disability

Recordkeeping/Posting Requirements

Every employer that is subject to Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act must post and maintain a fair employment practices notice furnished by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, excerpting the law.

Notices must be posted in a conspicuous, easily accessible and well-lighted location customarily frequented by employees and job applicants, and at each location where employee services are performed.