The Employment Law Counselor

Pennsylvania has joined a growing number of states and localities in enacting legislation aimed at eliminating hair-based discrimination; the new law is effective January 24, 2026. Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair “CROWN” Act into law in November 2025. This law protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace based on natural hair textures and protective hairstyles, such as locs, braids, twists, coils, bantu knots, afros and extensions. The legislation likewise prohibits discrimination related to religious ... Continue Reading

The newest episode of The Employment Law Counselor Podcast, hosted by Jeff Stewart, Counsel, and Tanya Salgado, Partner, covers the topic of violence in the workplace and potential claims that employers face surrounding these incidents. The discussion covers the steps that employers can take when conducting their background checks, ban the box laws, understanding the laws in your jurisdiction, and policies employers should have in place that address workplace violence.Continue Reading

On April 17, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its much-anticipated decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, Missouri, et al. Reversing the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the unanimous Court held that an employee challenging a job transfer under Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 (Title VII) must show that the transfer brought about some harm with respect to an identifiable term or condition of employment, but that harm need not be significant.

Background

From 2008 through 2017, Sergeant Jatonya Clayborn Muldrow (“Muldrow”) worked as a ... Continue Reading

One of the more challenging issues for employers seeking to roll out mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies has been the administration of requests for religious accommodations. Just before the new OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing was announced, the EEOC issued a new update to its Technical Assistance on COVID-19 that provides guidance and assistance on the thorny issue of religious accommodations to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements.Continue Reading