Pennsylvania Mandatory Labor Laws

Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry administers most labor laws in the state. The major mandatory labor laws in Pennsylvania focus on posting labor laws, child labor, workers' compensation and overtime regulations. Pennsylvania employers and employees are also subject the federal Social Security Administration regulations.

Mandatory Postings

• Pennsylvania employers are required to post notices or posters in their workplace that display all the information pertaining to labor laws. These notices and posters should be easily accessible. Employers who fail to post notices are subject to fines. Private employers and government agencies that have government contracts of more than $25,000 must post and publish a statement regarding an anti-drug policy in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998.

Mandatory Overtime

• Pennsylvania allows employees to work overtime. If an employer requires an employee to work overtime, the employee cannot refuse. If he refuses, the employee can be disciplined or terminated. Health care workers, such as nurses and technicians, are exempt from this law in the interests of the patients. A health care worker can be asked to work overtime only in the case of a natural disaster. In that situation, a health care worker should be allowed an hour to report to work. Typically, Pennsylvania employees who work more than 40 hours in a week receive overtime pay at an hourly rate 1 1/2 times their regular pay rate.

Child Labor Law

• The Child Labor Law (CCL) prohibits Pennsylvania minors from working in certain occupations at certain times. Minors, who are children under 18, must obtain a work permit before they begin work. Minors who work on farms or are employed as domestic service providers are exempt from this law. Generally, children under 16 cannot be employed in Pennsylvania, but there are a number of exceptions. The provisions for child labor in Pennsylvania are available on the Labor Laws page of the Pennsylvania Attorney General website.

Workers' Compensation

• Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act ensures workers are provided adequate compensation for accidents, injuries, illness or death that result from work-related activities. The safety and health regulations are monitored and enforced by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Visit the ExpertLaw website for details of the law, which has numerous provisions. Pennsylvania workers also are eligible for Social Security benefits. The state's public workers can receive Social Security benefits through the Social Security for Public Employees.