Pennsylvania Discrimination Law (PHRA) at 4+ Employees

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) applies to employers with 4 or more employeesand is enforced by the PA Human Relations Commission (PHRC), which work-shares with the EEOC (43 P.S. § 954(b)).

Race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age (40+), sex (including pregnancy), national origin, non-job-related disability, familial status, GED status, and use of a guide/support animal. The PHRC's 2023 regulations interpret "sex" to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

A complaint must be filed with the PHRC within 180 daysof the alleged discrimination (the federal EEOC deadline in a deferral state is 300 days). After exhausting the PHRC process, a court suit generally follows (43 P.S. § 959).

Reasonable accommodation for disability and pregnancy runs through the PHRA plus the ADA and the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, with a good-faith interactive process. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Fair Practices Ordinances add protected classes and lower thresholds — check the locality.