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Pittsburgh employment law guide covering Pittsburgh paid sick leave, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, healthcare and tech industry rights, and worker protections in Allegheny County.
Pennsylvania Employment Law Topics
- Wrongful Termination
- Workplace Discrimination
- Workplace Retaliation
- Wages and Hours
- Leave Laws
- Employment Contracts
Pittsburgh workers benefit from both Pennsylvania state law and local Pittsburgh ordinances. As a transformed city that has shifted from steel to healthcare, education, and technology, Pittsburgh and surrounding Allegheny County offer diverse employment opportunities. Workers from Downtown Pittsburgh to Oakland, from the South Side to the North Shore, enjoy Pennsylvania's anti-discrimination protections and Pittsburgh's local paid sick leave ordinance.
Quick Facts: Pittsburgh Employment Law
| Topic | Pittsburgh City | Pennsylvania State | Federal Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour | $7.25/hour | $7.25/hour |
| Paid Sick Leave | Yes (contested) | No state law | No federal mandate |
| Overtime | After 40 hours/week | After 40 hours/week | After 40 hours/week |
| Discrimination Law | Pittsburgh Code | PHRA | Title VII (15+ employees) |
| Filing Agencies | CHR, PHRC, EEOC | PHRC, EEOC | EEOC |
Key Pittsburgh Protections
Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act
Pittsburgh enacted a paid sick leave ordinance (note: enforcement has faced legal challenges):
Requirements (when enforced):
- 1 hour per 35 hours worked
- Up to 40 hours per year (employers with 15+ employees)
- Up to 24 hours per year (employers with fewer than 15 employees)
Covered uses:
- Employee's own illness or medical care
- Care for sick family member
- Public health emergency closure
Note: Pittsburgh's paid sick leave ordinance has faced legal challenges regarding enforcement against employers headquartered outside the city. Consult an attorney for current enforcement status.
Pittsburgh Human Relations Ordinance
Pittsburgh's local anti-discrimination law:
Protected characteristics:
- Race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin
- Sex (including pregnancy)
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Age
- Disability
- Familial status
- Source of income
Employers covered:
- All employers (no size minimum)
Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA)
State-level protection:
Protected characteristics:
- Race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age (40+)
- Sex (including pregnancy)
- National origin
- Non-job related handicap or disability
Employers covered: 4 or more employees
Filing deadline: 180 days
Note: PHRA does not explicitly cover sexual orientation or gender identity (Pittsburgh's ordinance does).
Filing Complaints in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations (CHR)
City of Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations:
- Address: 414 Grant Street, Room 908, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
- Phone: 412-255-2600
- Website: pittsburghpa.gov{rel="nofollow"}
What they handle:
- Pittsburgh Human Relations Ordinance violations
- Discrimination based on all protected categories
- Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC)
Pittsburgh Regional Office:
- Address: 301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 390, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Phone: 412-565-5395
- Website: phrc.pa.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Filing deadline: 180 days
EEOC - Pittsburgh Area Office
Pittsburgh Area Office:
- Address: William S. Moorhead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1112, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Phone: 1-800-669-4000
- Local: 412-644-3444
- Website: eeoc.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Filing deadline: 300 days
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
For wage violations:
- Phone: 1-800-932-0665
- Website: dli.pa.gov{rel="nofollow"}
OSHA - Pittsburgh Area Office
Pittsburgh Area Office:
- Address: William S. Moorhead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Avenue, Room 904, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Phone: 412-395-4903
- Website: osha.gov{rel="nofollow"}
Legal Aid and Worker Resources in Pittsburgh
Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Free legal services:
- Phone: 412-255-6700
- Website: nlsa.us{rel="nofollow"}
- Services: Employment discrimination, wage theft
- Income limits apply
Allegheny County Bar Association
Lawyer referral:
- Phone: 412-261-5555
- Website: acba.org{rel="nofollow"}
Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership
Free legal services for nonprofits and individuals:
- Website: thepbpp.org{rel="nofollow"}
Thomas Merton Center
Worker advocacy:
- Phone: 412-361-3022
- Website: thomasmertoncenter.org{rel="nofollow"}
Major Industries in Pittsburgh
Healthcare
Pittsburgh is a major healthcare hub:
- UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) - one of largest U.S. health systems
- Allegheny Health Network
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Numerous hospitals and medical facilities
Common employment issues:
- Overtime violations for nurses
- Meal break violations during shifts
- Retaliation for patient safety concerns
- Non-compete enforcement (doctors, nurses)
- Union issues (SEIU represents many healthcare workers)
Higher Education
Major universities:
- University of Pittsburgh
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Duquesne University
- Point Park University
Common employment issues:
- Tenure disputes
- Discrimination in hiring and promotion
- Graduate student worker rights
- Non-compete agreements for researchers
Technology and Robotics
Pittsburgh has become a major tech hub:
- Google (autonomous vehicles)
- Uber ATG (autonomous vehicles)
- Apple
- Numerous startups from CMU and Pitt
Common employment issues:
- Non-compete enforcement
- Misclassification
- Stock option disputes
- Discrimination in tech
Financial Services
Major financial employers:
- PNC Financial Services (headquarters)
- BNY Mellon (headquarters)
- Regional banks and financial services
Common employment issues:
- Discrimination in promotion
- Non-compete enforcement
- Commission disputes
- Whistleblower retaliation
Manufacturing
Pittsburgh's manufacturing base has transformed but remains significant:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Steel (reduced from historical levels)
- Industrial equipment
Common employment issues:
- Workplace safety
- Union issues
- Discrimination in layoffs
- Overtime violations
Common Employment Issues in Pittsburgh
Discrimination
Pittsburgh provides broader protections than state law:
Pittsburgh ordinance covers:
- Sexual orientation and gender identity (not explicitly covered by PHRA)
- All employers (PHRA requires 4+)
Where to file:
- Pittsburgh CHR (broadest local protections)
- PHRC (180 days, state claims)
- EEOC (300 days, federal claims)
Healthcare Worker Issues
Given UPMC's dominance in Pittsburgh employment:
- Overtime and meal break violations
- Retaliation for patient safety concerns
- Non-compete enforcement against doctors and nurses
- Union organizing (ongoing disputes between UPMC and SEIU)
Non-Compete Agreements
Pittsburgh's tech and healthcare sectors involve significant non-compete issues:
- Pennsylvania courts generally enforce reasonable non-competes
- Healthcare professionals often face restrictive agreements
- Tech workers may have non-competes limiting future employment
Wage Violations
Common issues:
- Overtime not paid after 40 hours
- Off-the-clock work
- Tip violations in restaurants
Where to file:
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor
- US Department of Labor
Federal Protections Apply
Pittsburgh workers receive all federal protections:
- FLSA: Minimum wage, overtime
- Title VII: Discrimination
- ADA: Disability accommodations
- ADEA: Age discrimination
- FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid leave
- NLRA: Union organizing rights
- OSHA: Workplace safety
Related Resources
Legal Disclaimer
This guide provides general information about employment law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is not legal advice. Pittsburgh has local ordinances that may provide additional protections beyond state and federal law. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Pennsylvania employment attorney.
Official Resources:
- Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations: pittsburghpa.gov/chr{rel="nofollow"} | 412-255-2600
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission: phrc.pa.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 412-565-5395
- EEOC Pittsburgh: eeoc.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 1-800-669-4000
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor: dli.pa.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 1-800-932-0665
- OSHA: osha.gov{rel="nofollow"} | 1-800-321-OSHA