What is wrongful termination in Pennsylvania?

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Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania follows the   at-will doctrine   but recognizes a limited public policy exception that has been narrowly construed by the courts.    1. At-Will Default    Henry v. Pittsburgh & Lake Erie R.R. , 139 Pa. 289 (1891). Either party may terminate at any time absent a contract.    2. Public Policy Exception (Geary)    Geary v. United States Steel Corp. , 456 Pa. 171 (1974), recognized — but did not apply — a public policy exception. Subsequent cases have applied it narrowly. Examples where courts have allowed claims: - Filing a workers' comp claim —  Shick v. Shirey , 552 Pa. 590 (1998). - Refusing to commit perjury —  Reuther v. Fowler & Williams , 386 A.2d 119 (Pa. Super. 1978). - Reporting nuclear safety violations —  Field v. Philadelphia Elec. Co. , 565 A.2d 1170 (Pa. Super. 1989). - Serving on jury duty.  The court requires the public policy to be   clearly mandated   by the Constitution, a statute, or a decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.    3. No Implied Contract from Handbook (Default)    Bauer v. Pottsville Area Emergency Med. Service , 758 A.2d 1265 (Pa. Super. 2000), holds that handbooks are presumed not to be contracts unless they contain a clear, unambiguous offer of just-cause employment.    4. Pennsylvania Human Relations Act — 43 P.S. § 955   Prohibits discrimination based on   race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age (40-70), sex, national origin, handicap or disability, use of guide/support animals  . Applies to employers with   4+ employees  . File with PHRC within   180 days  .    5. PA Whistleblower Law — 43 P.S. § 1421   Originally limited to public employees;   amended in 2014   to cover "public bodies" and certain private healthcare employees receiving public funds. Recovery: reinstatement, back pay, costs, attorney's fees, and a civil penalty up to $10,000.    6. Workers' Comp Retaliation   Codified in  Shick  — covered by public policy exception.    7. WARN Act   Pennsylvania has no state WARN; federal WARN (60-day notice for 100+ employees) applies.    8. Statute of Limitations   - Public policy tort:   2 years   (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). - PHRA: 180 days for charge; 2 years for civil action after PHRC referral.  This is legal information, not legal advice.