Employment Issues and Human Trafficking
Legal Information
PAVictimsHelp.org
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Your Detailed Rights as a Crime Victim
Descriptions of the rights you have as a victim of crime in Pennsylvania
Blue Campaign
Information on Blue Campaign, a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. This provides additional information about human trafficking, how to deal with it, and how to report if you are a victim of trafficking.
Tools That Teach: What is Human Trafficking? (Video)
This video from the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign helps answer the question "What is Human Trafficking? "
Human Trafficking - PA Courts
Human trafficking is a type of human rights abuse where people profit from the exploitation of others – mainly through the use of force, fraud or coercion to manipulate victims into engaging in sex acts or labor/services in exchange for something of value. Learn more about this from the Pennsylvania Courts.
Resources for Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes
Information on resources for victims of human trafficking and other crimes and the organizations that serve them from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Understanding Human Trafficking: Fact vs. Fiction - PA Courts
Learn the facts, not fiction about Human Trafficking from the Pennsylvania Courts.
Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) helps protect victims of human trafficking and other crimes by providing immigration relief. Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers lure individuals with false promises of employment and a better life. This provides information on the kind of help available from USCIS. For more information please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
Get a Clean Slate in Pennsylvania - MyCleanSlatePA.com
This website, MyCleanSlatePA.com provides comprehensive information on Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law that provides for automated sealing of certain criminal records. Information is also provided on how to obtain legal help in dealing with your criminal record.
Minimum Wage and Overtime Complaint Form
This form from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is used to file complaints under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act of 1968. In an effort to expedite your complaint, the Bureau of Labor Law Compliance encourages you to take advantage of the online or electronic submission of the complaint form, but you may choose instead to return a hardcopy version of this form.
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
Explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Workforce Development System
The Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) is an Internet-based system of services for use by customers and potential customers of the PA CareerLink® offices. CWDS provides online access to job openings; information about employers; services and training opportunities for job seekers; and labor market information. All of this is available by enrolling on-line with CWDS.
Get a Clean Slate in Pennsylvania - MyCleanSlatePA.com
This website, MyCleanSlatePA.com provides comprehensive information on Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Law that provides for automated sealing of certain criminal records. Information is also provided on how to obtain legal help in dealing with your criminal record.
How to Assert Your Rights in the Workplace
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on how to assert your rights in the workplace.
Know Your Employment Rights!
Information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on employment rights including wages, unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, discrimination, workplace injuries, and unions. (January 2014)
Immigrant Workers Have Rights!
Know your rights and enforce them! No matter what your immigration status is, these rights apply to all!
Family and Medical Leave Act
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Family and Medical Leave Act Fact Sheet
Information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on the Family and Medical Leave Act that protects certain employees from getting fired while on leave for family or medical reasons.
Wages and Hours
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services Association on wage and hour issues including how to file a complaint.
Where to File a Claim for Wages
A claim for unpaid wages can be filed with the U.S. Department of Labor, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, or Municipal Court. This chart lists information to help you determine where the claim should be filed. (August 2013)
Expungement Explainer
Information on expungement including what criminal records can be expunged and the process for getting them expunged.
Unemployment Benefit Information: UCHelp.org
UCHelp.org is a website that is a project of Philadelphia Legal Assistance and partner organizations in Pennsylvania that support workers. The site is intended to be a comprehensive resource for workers navigating unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania. This classroom provides access to the resources of UCHelp.org.
Employment Rights
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project discussing the impact of juvenile and criminal records on employment. [PDF]
Expungements
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project providing information on the expungement (removal) of juvenile records and certain adult criminal records.
Filing Claims
Information from UCHelp.org on filing weekly claims for unemployment insurance benefits.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
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
Information from MidPenn Legal Services on how to file suit on small claims in your local Office of the Magisterial District Judge. (July 2012)
Legal Help for LGBTQ+ Individuals
Community Legal Services (CLS) provides free legal assistance in civil matters for low-income residents of Philadelphia. We are strong advocates for our clients, including LGBTQ+ individuals, when they face the threat of losing their homes, incomes, health care, and even their families. We work on many legal issues including eviction, mortgage foreclosure, criminal record expungements, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and other public benefits, SSI, employment, utilities, and housing problems for people who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault.
Monday Minute: Wage Theft
$32 million dollars is stolen from Pennsylvanians every week because of #WageTheft. In this week's Monday Minute, CLS attorney Nadia Hewka discusses the issue of wage theft, who gets targeted, and individual & policy solutions. (July 2019)
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Information on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program from UCHelp.org. This program is available to workers who are not eligible for regular Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC) and lost work due to COVID-19.
The New UC System
Information on the new system implemented to administer Unemployment insurance claims in Pennsylvania in June 2021.
The New UC System: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about the new Unemployment Compensation system implemented in Pennsylvania in June 2021.
The New UC System: What’s Changed?
Information on changes in the Unemployment Compensation system that are in effect with the implementation of a new computer system at the Pennsylvania Department and Labor & Industry in June 2021 to admininister claims.
UCHelp.org
UCHelp.org, is a project of Philadelphia Legal Assistance and partner organizations in Pennsylvania that support workers. The site is intended to be a comprehensive resource for workers navigating unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania.
Unemployment Benefits: Tax Issues
Information on whether your unemployment compensation benefits are taxable and some tips on how to address some issues related to paying taxes on them.
Unemployment Compensation Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about the regular unemployment compensation benefits from UCHelp.org.
What Is A Keystone ID?
Information on Keystone ID - a username and password that you will use to log into the new online UC system. It is replacing the old way of logging in with your Social Security Number and a PIN.
Young Adult Resource Guide - Youth Law Project
Guide to services available to Youth in Philadelphia including: Child Care & Early Learning • Domestic Violence • Drop-In Centers • Drug & Alcohol Treatment • Education/ Career • Family Planning/Reproductive Health • Food Resources • General Health Services • Housing/ Shelter • Legal Services • Mental Health Services • Parenting Education • Teen Parent Resources • Other Resources (January 2021)
Sexual Violence Against Farmworkers: A Guidebook for Legal Providers
The goal of this guidebook from the Southern Poverty Law Center is to increase the knowledge and skills of legal professionals so that you can better serve farmworkers who have experienced sexual violence. It provides helpful explanations about the life and work of farmworkers as well as unique issues that may impact the services you provide. (April 2010)
Know Your Rights at Work
This booklet from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General outlines the rights a worker has in the workplace and how to get help if you are experiencing an unlawful work-related issue.
Family and Medical Leave Act Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet from the United States Department of Labor about the Family and Medical Leave Act. [PDF]
Minimum Wage and Overtime Complaint Form
This form from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is used to file complaints under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act of 1968. In an effort to expedite your complaint, the Bureau of Labor Law Compliance encourages you to take advantage of the online or electronic submission of the complaint form, but you may choose instead to return a hardcopy version of this form.
Expungement Guide - York County
Legal information about the law and the expungement process in York County designed to help individuals interested in the expungement of criminal records address their own legal needs.
Expungements - Allegheny County
Information on expungements of criminal records from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Criminal Division.
Blue Campaign
Information on Blue Campaign, a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. This provides additional information about human trafficking, how to deal with it, and how to report if you are a victim of trafficking.
Tools That Teach: What is Human Trafficking? (Video)
This video from the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign helps answer the question "What is Human Trafficking? "
Benefit Appeals - Important Information for UC Appeal Hearings
Information from the PA Department of Labor & Industry on appeals of unemployment compensation claims.
Human Trafficking - PA Courts
Human trafficking is a type of human rights abuse where people profit from the exploitation of others – mainly through the use of force, fraud or coercion to manipulate victims into engaging in sex acts or labor/services in exchange for something of value. Learn more about this from the Pennsylvania Courts.
Payment/1099G FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry about Form UC-1099G related to unemployment compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
Resources for Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes
Information on resources for victims of human trafficking and other crimes and the organizations that serve them from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Understanding Human Trafficking: Fact vs. Fiction - PA Courts
Learn the facts, not fiction about Human Trafficking from the Pennsylvania Courts.
Victims of Human Trafficking & Other Crimes
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) helps protect victims of human trafficking and other crimes by providing immigration relief. Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers lure individuals with false promises of employment and a better life. This provides information on the kind of help available from USCIS. For more information please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
Trans Youth Handbook
The Trans Youth Handbook serves as a comprehensive legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across a wide spectrum of situations, including identity documents, school, health care, non-affirming care environments, and work.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
Explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.