- Youth under the age of 14 years are only permitted to work on farms, according to Pennsylvania child labor laws. They are also allowed to work as domestic servants in private residences. If minors get a special permit to work in the entertainment industry, they can work as actors or actresses in motion pictures. In some cases, minors residing in Pennsylvania can deliver newspapers after they turn 12 years of age. Employers must record the daily and weekly hours worked by minors between the ages of 14 and 17. A workers permit is required before minors younger than 18 can start work. Maximum hours that youth 14 and 15 years old can work are four on school days and eight on non-school days. During summer hours they can work eight hours a day any day of the week but no more than 44 hours in a single week. Sixteen- and 17-year olds can work as much as 28 hours when school is in session, and also up to 44 hours a week. Minors are not permitted to work jobs that require them to operate boats, cranes or meat grinders.
- According to Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act, employers must pay Pennsylvania workers at least the state's minimum wage which was increased to $7.25 an hour as of July 24, 2009. Minimum wage for employees who receive tips is $2.83 an hour. If the amount of tips employees receive plus the $2.83 minimum wage do not reach $7.25, employers must pay tipped employees the difference. Tipped employees who do not receive $30 or more a month (from tips or their hourly tipped wage) must receive the standard $7.25 minimum wage.
- The state's Department of Labor and Industry has a Bureau of Labor Law Compliance that oversees reviews and updates made to the employment records law. The law states that employee records must not contain records of criminal investigations, documents used in preparation for a civil court case or medical records. Employees are permitted to review the details of their personnel record upon request. Employers are allowed to request that employees submit request to review their files in writing.
- Employees who lose their jobs due to company downsizings or layoffs are allowed to file to receive unemployment benefits. The amount of unemployment benefits they will receive are based upon the amount of money earned over the last five quarters worked before termination. The maximum weekly unemployment check paid out in Pennsylvania is $573. Professionals must file a weekly recertification form to continue to receive the benefits. They must also attend reemployment classes as requested by Unemployment Compensation Service Center administrators. Workers who receive unemployment benefits are required to pay taxes on the monies received when they file their federal income taxes.
- The state's Employer to Pay Employment Medical Examination Fee Act requires companies in Pennsylvania to pay for medical examinations that they request their employees to take. Drug tests that are administered as conditions of employment are an example.
- PENNSAFE and OSHA (the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration) laws govern workplace safety rules in Pennsylvania. The laws mandate that workplace areas be safe and clean. Workers who handle hazardous materials are to receive training so that they know the dangers involved as well as how to avoid injuries and health problems while they work with the materials. Following an accident, workplace supervisors are to secure the area and attend to any injured workers. They should also ask injured workers and eyewitnesses about details of the accident. An inspection of equipment, hazardous materials and work procedures is also required. Accident reports are filed with the Pennsylvania Safety and Labor Management Relations department.
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