This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Wages, Hours and Fair Labor Standards issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Agricultural Employment
The Wage and Hour Division is responsible for administering a number of statutes that extend various protections to different types of agricultural workers. The coverage and requirements of these statutes may overlap. For more assistance with the requirements of each law, see the sections below. Because the interplay between the laws can be complex, please contact the nearest Wage and Hour District office with specific questions.
Hours Worked – Do I have to pay for that time?
This video is part of a series of short Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements COMPLIANCE VIDEOS. This video discusses hours worked and what work time and other non-scheduled time employers need to pay workers for.
How to File a Wage Complaint
The Wage and Hour Division is responsible for enforcing some of the nation’s most comprehensive federal labor laws. The workers who are protected by these laws often want to know: How do we do what we do? Many investigations are initiated by complaints, which are confidential. The name of the complainant, the nature of the complaint, and whether a complaint exists may not be disclosed. An employer cannot retaliate against a worker for exercising their rights, filing a complaint or cooperating with an investigation. This webpage from the Wage and Hour Division explains the process for filing a complaint.
Wage and Hour Division Fact Sheets
The U. S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division provides fact sheet on a number of topics, including information on work in specific industries. The Fact Sheets provide information on the rights of employees in those industries as to wages and hours worked.
Wages and Hours
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on wage and hour issues including how to file a complaint.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
In Pennsylvania, people can bring lawsuits against individuals or businesses by filing a complaint at the office of a Magisterial District Justice. The advantage of filing with a Magisterial District Justice is that the system can work well without attorneys. The Magisterial District Justice can hear cases in which there is $12,000.00 or less at issue. This provides information from MidPenn Legal Services on how to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Justice, formerly known as the District Justice, Justice of the Peace, or Magisterial District Judge. (July 2012)
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This information from Northwestern Legal Services provides instructions on how to file a lawsuit in Magisterial District Judge Court. Revised: November 2018.
Minimum Wage and Overtime Complaint Form
The Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act establishes a fixed Minimum Wage and Overtime Rate for employees in Pennsylvania. It also sets forth requirements for employers regarding record retention. In addition, the Act provides penalties for noncompliance, establishes duties for the Department of Labor & Industry, and establishes the Minimum Wage Advisory Board. If you think you have witnessed or experienced a Minimum Wage Act violation, you can file a complaint—the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) will investigate.
Wage Theft Complaint and Information - Philadelphia
If you’ve experienced wage theft, you may be able to file a complaint against your employer or former employer. View this resource for information on the process in Philadelphia.
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.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
Minimum Wage and Overtime Complaint Form
The Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act establishes a fixed Minimum Wage and Overtime Rate for employees in Pennsylvania. It also sets forth requirements for employers regarding record retention. In addition, the Act provides penalties for noncompliance, establishes duties for the Department of Labor & Industry, and establishes the Minimum Wage Advisory Board. If you think you have witnessed or experienced a Minimum Wage Act violation, you can file a complaint—the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) will investigate.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
How to Sue At the Office of the Magisterial District Judge
In Pennsylvania, people can bring lawsuits against individuals or businesses by filing a complaint at the office of a Magisterial District Justice. The advantage of filing with a Magisterial District Justice is that the system can work well without attorneys. The Magisterial District Justice can hear cases in which there is $12,000.00 or less at issue. This provides information from MidPenn Legal Services on how to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Justice, formerly known as the District Justice, Justice of the Peace, or Magisterial District Judge. (July 2012)
Magisterial District Judge Court - Filing Suit
This information from Northwestern Legal Services provides instructions on how to file a lawsuit in Magisterial District Judge Court. Revised: November 2018.
Wages and Hours
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on wage and hour issues including how to file a complaint.
Wage and Hours Issues
Information on wage and hour issues from the Erie County Bar Association. (February 2019)
Agricultural Employment
The Wage and Hour Division is responsible for administering a number of statutes that extend various protections to different types of agricultural workers. The coverage and requirements of these statutes may overlap. For more assistance with the requirements of each law, see the sections below. Because the interplay between the laws can be complex, please contact the nearest Wage and Hour District office with specific questions.
Do You Need a Court Interpreter? (Video)
This video from the PA Courts explains how to request a court interpreter; what to expect; how to communicate with court staff outside the courtroom; and who is qualified to be a court interpreter.
Fact Sheet #40: Overview of Youth Employment (Child Labor) Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for Agricultural Occupations
This booklet from the United States Department of Labor provides information about the legal protections that apply to children working in farm jobs. [PDF] (December 2016)
Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor
The Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor, from the United States Department of Labor, provides employers and employees with the information they need to understand Federal minimum wage, overtime, child labor and recordkeeping requirements. The child labor section answers questions from youth, parents, teachers and employers about Federal child labor rules. This Advisor was developed by the Wage and Hour Division.
Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor - Frequently Asked Questions
These Questions and Answers are part of the FLSA Advisor of the United States Department of Labor. The Advisor helps you learn more about the minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor and record keeping laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Minimum Wage Poster
Poster from the United States Department of Labor outlining current minimum wage requirements.
General Wage & Hour Questions
Frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry on wage & hour requirements in Pennsylvania.
Hours Worked – Do I have to pay for that time?
This video is part of a series of short Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements COMPLIANCE VIDEOS. This video discusses hours worked and what work time and other non-scheduled time employers need to pay workers for.
How to File a Wage Complaint
The Wage and Hour Division is responsible for enforcing some of the nation’s most comprehensive federal labor laws. The workers who are protected by these laws often want to know: How do we do what we do? Many investigations are initiated by complaints, which are confidential. The name of the complainant, the nature of the complaint, and whether a complaint exists may not be disclosed. An employer cannot retaliate against a worker for exercising their rights, filing a complaint or cooperating with an investigation. This webpage from the Wage and Hour Division explains the process for filing a complaint.
Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA)
The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) protects migrant and seasonal agricultural workers by establishing employment standards related to wages, housing, transportation, disclosures and recordkeeping. The MSPA also requires farm labor contractors to register with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Minimum Wage and Overtime Complaint Form
The Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act establishes a fixed Minimum Wage and Overtime Rate for employees in Pennsylvania. It also sets forth requirements for employers regarding record retention. In addition, the Act provides penalties for noncompliance, establishes duties for the Department of Labor & Industry, and establishes the Minimum Wage Advisory Board. If you think you have witnessed or experienced a Minimum Wage Act violation, you can file a complaint—the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) will investigate.
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released a series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts. This video provides an overview of the new requirements. Follow the link to view the entire series of videos.
Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Law
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry about Pennsylvania's minimum wage requirements, effective January 2007.
Questions and Answers about the Minimum Wage
Questions and Answers from the United States Department of Labor about the Minimum Wage
The Employment of Workers with Disabilities at Subminimum Wages
Fact Sheet from United States Department of Labor is on Section 14(c) of the FLSA which authorizes employers, after receiving a certificate from the Wage and Hour Division, to pay subminimum wages, less than the Federal minimum wage, to workers who have disabilities. [PDF] (July 2008)
Wage and Hour Division Fact Sheets
The U. S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division provides fact sheet on a number of topics, including information on work in specific industries. The Fact Sheets provide information on the rights of employees in those industries as to wages and hours worked.
Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor
Website of the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Wage Statement (MSPA)
Properly filled out, this optional form will satisfy the requirements of sections 201 (d), (e), and (g) and sections 301 (c), (d), and (f) of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA). This forms also satisfies statutory requirements under section 11 (c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
You can bring a lawsuit for less than $12,000 in Small Claims Court, which is part of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. This is an explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance, as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
Wage Theft Complaint and Information - Philadelphia
If you’ve experienced wage theft, you may be able to file a complaint against your employer or former employer. View this resource for information on the process in Philadelphia.
Wage Theft Law - Philadelphia
Fact sheet providing information on the Wage Theft Law in effect in Philadelphia.