This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Employment Discrimination issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (February 2019)
Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination is when a company treats an employee differently than other employees because of his or her race, color, age, sex, pregnancy, ancestry, religion, disability, national origin, retaliation, or sexual orientation. Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on discrimination in the workplace.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Website
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination. In general, Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination based on race; color; religious creed; ancestry; age (40 and over); sex; national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability; or retaliation. The PHRC can help you file discrimination complaints in education, employment, housing & commercial property, and public accommodation. Foreign language versions of the website are available using the "Translate" button link on the English page.
Workers with Disabilities
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act for workers with disabilities
Filing a Charge of Employment Discrimination - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
f you believe that you have been discriminated against at work because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information, you can file a Charge of Discrimination. A charge of discrimination is a signed statement asserting that an employer, union or labor organization engaged in employment discrimination. It requests EEOC to take remedial action. This page offers a description of the process to be followed to file a charge of employment discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Website
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination. In general, Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination based on race; color; religious creed; ancestry; age (40 and over); sex; national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability; or retaliation. The PHRC can help you file discrimination complaints in education, employment, housing & commercial property, and public accommodation. Foreign language versions of the website are available using the "Translate" button link on the English page.
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Filing a Charge of Employment Discrimination - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
f you believe that you have been discriminated against at work because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information, you can file a Charge of Discrimination. A charge of discrimination is a signed statement asserting that an employer, union or labor organization engaged in employment discrimination. It requests EEOC to take remedial action. This page offers a description of the process to be followed to file a charge of employment discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Website
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination. In general, Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination based on race; color; religious creed; ancestry; age (40 and over); sex; national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability; or retaliation. The PHRC can help you file discrimination complaints in education, employment, housing & commercial property, and public accommodation. Foreign language versions of the website are available using the "Translate" button link on the English page.
Employment Discrimination
Employment discrimination is when a company treats an employee differently than other employees because of his or her race, color, age, sex, pregnancy, ancestry, religion, disability, national origin, retaliation, or sexual orientation. Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on discrimination in the workplace.
Workers with Disabilities
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association about the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act for workers with disabilities
Americans with Disabilities Act
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (February 2019)
Discrimination
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on discrimination in employment and housing from the Erie County Bar Association. (February 2019)
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment
If you are seeking a job or are new to the workforce, you should become familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a federal civil rights law designed to prevent discrimination and enable individuals with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of society. One fundamental principle of the ADA is that individuals with disabilities who want to work and are qualified to work must have an equal opportunity to work. This brochure from the U.S. Department of Justice answers questions you may have about your employment rights under the ADA. (February 25, 2020)
Federal Laws Prohibiting Job Discrimination - Questions And Answers
Information from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on the federal laws covering job discrimination and what discriminatory practices are prohibited by these laws.
Filing a Charge of Employment Discrimination - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
f you believe that you have been discriminated against at work because of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information, you can file a Charge of Discrimination. A charge of discrimination is a signed statement asserting that an employer, union or labor organization engaged in employment discrimination. It requests EEOC to take remedial action. This page offers a description of the process to be followed to file a charge of employment discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Website
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) enforces state laws that prohibit discrimination. In general, Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination based on race; color; religious creed; ancestry; age (40 and over); sex; national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for disability; or retaliation. The PHRC can help you file discrimination complaints in education, employment, housing & commercial property, and public accommodation. Foreign language versions of the website are available using the "Translate" button link on the English page.
Understanding Your Employment Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A Guide for Veterans
This guide from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is intended to answer questions you may have about your rights as an injured veteran, now that you have left the service and are returning to a civilian job or seeking a new job. It also explains the kinds of adjustments (called reasonable accommodations) that may help you be successful in the workplace.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Website
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was established by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and began operating on July 2, 1965. The EEOC enforces various federal statutes relating to discrimination.
Combating Employment Discrimination Through the Americans with Disabilities Act (PDF)
Information from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding employment discrimination. [PDF] (February 2018)
Employment Publications from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania
Publications about disability and employment from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania.
Reasonable Accommodations in Employment (PDF)
The Fact Sheet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania addresses the duty of employers to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. [PDF] (February 2018)