Retaliation Claims: Protecting Employees Who Speak Up
Retaliation is the most common type of claim filed with the EEOC. Here is what retaliation looks like under federal and Pennsylvania law, what…
Pennsylvania Workplace Harassment & Employment Law
For the workers wrongedand for the employers who refuse to be the cause.
Fired, harassed, retaliated against, hurt at work — or trying to make the right call before harm spreads.
Direct Attorney Connection
Tell us what happened.
100% Job Privacy
No work email required. Keeps contact completely confidential.
Fast-Track Response
Direct attorney reply in 1 business day. Zero waiting.
Zero Risk, No Pressure
Free preliminary evaluation. No billing surprises.
$12M
Verdict + Settlement
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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What’s happening at work?
Different situations call for different conversations. Pick the one closest to yours and we’ll meet you where you are.
Fired or pushed out
Fired, disciplined, or pushed out.
Wrongful termination, retaliation, severance pressure, or sudden discipline after speaking up.
Start here →
Harassed or targeted
Harassed or discriminated against at work.
Sexual harassment, disability, age, race, sex, pregnancy, religion, or other protected-class issues.
Start here →
Hurt at work
Hurt at work — or fighting for benefits.
Work injuries, wage loss, medical treatment, claim denials, hearings, return-to-work pressure.
Start here →
If you’re an employee, these deadlines move fast
- 180 days Pennsylvania Human Relations Act filing window
- 300 days EEOC charge deadline
- 120 days Notify your employer of a work injury
General filing windows. Actual deadlines depend on your facts and may be shorter. Talk to us early.
Talk to us before the clock runs out.
Schedule a Free ConsultationFor Employers & Managers
Hard call as a business owner
A business owner facing a hard call.
A termination, a complaint to investigate, an accommodation request, or a severance decision that has you asking questions.
Start here →
Business judgment
Outside general counsel for your business.
HR decisions, contracts, demand letters, and risk calls before manageable issues become litigation.
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Pennsylvania Trial-Tested Counsel
Thirty years of combined evidence that we know how this works.
- Millions Recovered In verdicts and settlements across employment, civil, and workers’ comp matters
- 30+ Years of combined legal experience
- Triple-Board Certified Founding attorney Steven T. Auerbach — certified specialist: Labor & Employment (OSBA) · Civil Practice (NBTA) · Workers’ Compensation (PBA)
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Recent matters
- Plaintiff Six-figure recovery for victim of sexual harassment (2026).
- Employer $1,724,997.00 verdict against former employee who disrupted the business (Sep. 2025).
What happens when you reach out
A focused first conversation with clear next steps.
- 01 Tell us what’s happening. Share the facts you know, even if the timeline is still messy.
- 02 We identify the legal issues. We look for deadlines, leverage, exposure, and the facts that change the outcome.
- 03 You leave with a plan. If there is a claim, we explain what to preserve and what comes next. If there is no claim, we tell you that too.
Helpful documents are welcome, but not required.
Our Practice
Pennsylvania employment law — for the workers wronged, and the businesses determined not to wrong them.
Thirty years of combined trial-tested experience across both sides of the table. We represent employees in serious workplace disputes and counsel employers on the harder calls before those disputes happen. Workers’ compensation and complex civil litigation extend the practice where employment matters cross into broader fights.
Serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Bucks County, and clients across Pennsylvania.
01
Employment Law for Employees
Hold employers accountable
Wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wage theft, and FMLA violations. Representation at every stage — from EEOC charges through federal and state court litigation.
02
Employment Law for Employers
Make the harder call earlier
Outside general counsel for Pennsylvania businesses. Terminations done right, severance design, accommodations, internal investigations, and day-to-day judgment before manageable issues become litigation.
03
Workers’ Compensation
Full benefits for injured workers
Injured on the job in Pennsylvania? You are entitled to wage loss benefits, medical treatment, and potentially a settlement. We move against insurers who deny, delay, or reduce legitimate claims.
04
Civil Litigation
When matters cross beyond employment
Strategic litigation in Pennsylvania state and federal court — often as the natural extension of employment matters that grow into broader civil disputes. Breach of contract, civil rights, and complex multi-party cases.
Not sure where your matter fits?
Tell us what’s happening — whichever side of the table you’re on.
Our Attorneys
Meet the lawyers who will know your file.
Steven T. Auerbach, Esq.
Principal Attorney
Steven Auerbach is one of the region’s most experienced employment lawyers — representing employees in serious workplace disputes and counseling employers on the harder calls before those disputes happen. He prepares every case for court and brings the same rigor to advisory work.
- Triple-board certifiedLabor & Employment (OSBA), Civil Practice (NBTA), Workers’ Compensation (PBA)
- LL.M.Trial advocacy, Temple University
- National Employment Lawyers AssociationEastern PA — past chapter president
Thomas Schierberl, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Thomas Schierberl drafts the contracts and answers the regulatory questions that keep clients out of court — turning compliance complexity into plain-English answers in-house teams can actually use. When matters do require litigation, he supports the case through every stage.
- U.S. Air Force veteranService before law
- J.D.Thomas R. Kline School of Law, Duquesne University
Christopher Mandracchia, Esq.
Of Counsel — Criminal Defense Affiliated
Chris maintains his own firm, CDM Law, and is Of Counsel here when an existing client’s matter crosses into criminal exposure. A former Berks County prosecutor with extensive trial experience across DUI, drug crimes, and complex litigation.
- Former ADABerks County, 2010–2015
- NORMLLegal committee lifetime member
Client Testimonials
Clients remember being heard when the pressure was highest.
The details change from case to case. The pattern clients describe is preparation, direct communication, and the relief of having someone move the case forward.
30+Years of combined Pennsylvania advocacy
Trial ReadyStrategy from consultation through court
Before You Call
Workplace law guidance for the first hard decisions.
Deadlines move quickly in Pennsylvania workplace disputes. Start with the issues people often notice first — retaliation, wrongful termination, and harassment.
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Sexual Harassment at Work: What Pennsylvania Employees Need to Know
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Common Questions
Before you reach out — questions we hear most often.
If you don’t see your question here, ask it directly when we talk. The first conversation is the one where we figure out which questions matter most for your situation.
What does the free consultation actually cover?
The first conversation is a focused 20–30 minutes. We listen, identify the legal issues, surface deadlines, and tell you whether the firm can help. You leave with a plan, even if it isn’t a plan to hire us.
How quickly will I hear back after I submit my information?
One business day. If your matter is urgent — a termination this week, a deadline closing, an EEOC charge to respond to — say so on the form or call (484) 430-4391 directly.
How soon should I call after a termination, retaliation, or workplace injury?
As soon as possible. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act gives 180 days to file a complaint. The EEOC gives 300 days. Workers’ compensation requires notice within 21 days of an injury. These windows are firm. Calling early preserves your options.
What should I bring or have ready before we talk?
A short timeline of what happened, the names of the people involved, any emails or texts that touch on the situation, your most recent pay records or medical paperwork if relevant, and any agreements you’ve already signed. None of this is required to talk — bring what you have.
What does it cost to hire the firm if I have a case?
Most plaintiff employment matters are handled on contingency — typically no upfront fee, and the firm is paid from the recovery if there is one. Workers’ compensation fees are governed by Pennsylvania statute. We explain the fee arrangement before you sign anything; there are no surprises.
Does the firm work with businesses on employment-law issues?
Yes. Steven serves as outside employment counsel for small and mid-size Pennsylvania businesses — advising on terminations, accommodations, internal investigations, severance design, and the harder calls, typically before they become litigation. Conflict checks are run before any engagement.
We don’t have a current dispute — can the firm still help?
Yes. The most useful outside-counsel work happens before there is a dispute. Contact us through the form below — we’ll discuss the matter and quote a flat fee for the strategy session before any work begins.
Will I work directly with Steven, or be handed off?
You work with Steven on every matter. He runs the initial consultation, signs your engagement letter, and remains the lead attorney through resolution. His associate Thomas Schierberl supports specific litigation phases under Steven’s direction. You will not be passed off to a paralegal or junior associate.
What if my matter is in a county outside Philadelphia?
The firm represents clients across Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, the Main Line, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Bucks County, and the Commonwealth at large. Most consultations happen by phone or video; in-person hearings and trials are conducted wherever the matter sits.
Is what I share confidential before I sign an engagement?
Yes. Initial consultation conversations are protected by attorney-client privilege from the first call. The firm runs conflict checks before scheduling. If we cannot represent you for any reason, what you shared remains confidential.
Ready when you are
We’ll get back to you within one business day.
Free · Confidential · No pressure
Pennsylvania Legal Reference
Plain-language guides for workers and managers who need a starting point.
Before you call, review short guides to the key Pennsylvania employment-law landscape. We update these as the law changes.
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Act Plain-language guide to the state employment-discrimination statute and 180-day filing window.
- EEOC Filing Process How federal discrimination charges are filed, investigated, and processed.
- Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act Wage loss benefits, medical treatment, and the 21-day notice rule.
- Employment-Law Deadlines The major filing windows for PA employment claims, side by side.