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Hours of work and overtime — Pennsylvania Templates

Hours of work

Pennsylvania employers are required to define in writing the employer’s workweek and normal business/office hours pursuant to the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law (PWPCL). The employee handbook or a written policy is an ideal place to do this for non-unionized employers. If unionized, the collective bargaining agreement is the appropriate place for such description. Setting forth lunch, break, and wash‑up periods also is advisable because it provides employees with notice of the policy and enables supervisors to uniformly discipline those who deviate from it. Communicating these expectations to employees also may be helpful in setting essential requirements of the job under the ADA/PHRA and in avoiding paying unemployment compensation to employees, who voluntarily leave their employment because they are unable to work the required schedule and/or overtime.

Employers should also note that some provisions of the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Law (PMWL) are more favorable to employees than provisions of the FLSA. The more favorable provision must be applied because most private employers are subject to both laws, and application of the more pro-employee standard is required.

Employers in Pennsylvania should be aware,...


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