Ed Sweeney
Franny Ryan
Are you facing discrimination at work? Don’t stand alone. Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC is here to help you fight for your rights and achieve justice. With decades of combined experience, our team of dedicated employment discrimination lawyers understands the complexities of the legal landscape and is committed to advocating for victims of workplace injustice. Consult with an experienced employment discrimination lawyer to determine the coverage of federal and state employment discrimination laws and to understand the protections available to employees in Philadelphia.
We offer personalized legal strategies tailored to your unique situation, ensuring that your voice is heard and your case is treated with the utmost importance. From initial consultation to courtroom representation, we provide comprehensive support at every stage of the process. Trust Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC to be your staunch allies in your pursuit of fair treatment and legal recourse.
We’re proud to be locally based in Exton, PA, serving all of Chester County. We understand the unique challenges Pennsylvania workers face, and we’re committed to providing personalized, effective legal representation.
At Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC, your case isn’t just another file in a big law firm. Our partners, Ed Sweeney and Franny Ryan, handle every case personally, ensuring you receive the highest level of attention and experience. Both Ed and Franny are experienced trial lawyers with prestigious educations and extensive backgrounds in employment law.
Ed Sweeney, a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, has over three decades of litigation experience, focusing on employment law. Named a Top Attorney in Employment Law by Suburban Life and Philadelphia Life, he combines extensive legal knowledge with hands-on experience in employment-related legal issues.
Franny Ryan, a University of Scranton and University of Chicago Law School graduate is a seasoned employment law litigator. With extensive experience in class actions, discrimination, and other employment-related cases, she has consistently achieved favorable outcomes, including in emergency injunction matters nationwide.
They have significant experience in handling employment discrimination cases including illegal discrimination in hiring, promotion, job assignment, and termination based on protected traits such as gender, race, age, and disability. Together, they bring a unique synergy to every case, leveraging their comprehensive experience from both sides of the courtroom to provide you with the best possible representation.
Employment discrimination occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee or job applicant based on a protected characteristic rather than job performance or qualifications. Employment decisions must not be based on the personal characteristics of employees or job applicants. A valid discrimination case in Pennsylvania must demonstrate that the employee belongs to a protected class as outlined in federal, state, or local laws and that the discriminatory actions significantly impact the individual’s employment conditions, opportunities, or compensation decisions.
In Pennsylvania, protected characteristics include:
To establish a valid claim, the individual must show:
Additionally, Pennsylvania law requires individuals to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) before pursuing a lawsuit, ensuring proper investigatory procedures are followed. At Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC, we specialize in navigating these legal complexities, fighting vigorously to protect your right to a discrimination-free workplace.
When it comes to protecting employees from discrimination, the United States has an array of comprehensive laws designed to ensure fairness and justice in the workplace. These laws prohibit discrimination and outline the rights of employees to work in an environment free from unjust treatment based on various protected characteristics. Below are some of the key federal laws that safeguard these rights:
Title VII is one of the cornerstone laws in employment discrimination. It prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law covers a wide range of discriminatory practices, including hiring and firing decisions, promotions, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.
The EPA mandates that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The jobs do not have to be identical, but they must be substantially equal. The law covers all forms of compensation, including salaries, bonuses, stock options, and benefits.
The ADEA protects employees 40 years of age or older from age-based discrimination. This law applies to both employees and job applicants, covering hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense for the employer.
GINA prohibits discrimination based on genetic information. This includes information about an individual’s genetic tests and the genetic tests of their family members, as well as information about any disease, disorder, or condition of an individual’s family members (i.e., family medical history).
This act prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. It ensures that women affected by pregnancy or related conditions must be treated in the same manner as other applicants or employees with similar abilities or limitations.
Though not specifically a discrimination law, the FMLA provides employees with the right to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. It ensures that employees can take time off for serious health conditions, the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition without fearing job loss.
These sections mirror the ADA and apply specifically to federal employees, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requiring affirmative action in employment by federal agencies. This act covers employees of federal contractors as well as federal employees.
These federal laws collectively form a robust framework for protecting employee rights against discrimination in the workplace. At Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC, we are committed to ensuring that these rights are upheld, providing vigorous representation to employees who have been treated unfairly. If you believe you have been a victim of workplace discrimination, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation. Together, we will fight for the justice you deserve.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate based on protected groups. This applies to all facets of employment, not just hiring and firing. As an employee, you have the right to:
At Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC, we stand for employees’ rights and work tirelessly to hold employers accountable for their discriminatory actions. Don’t face discrimination alone – let us be your partners in the fight for justice and fair treatment in the workplace. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you protect your rights.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. If you’re facing employment discrimination, contact an experienced discrimination lawyer at Wusinich, Sweeney & Ryan, LLC today for a free consultation.
We represent clients throughout Chester County, Lancaster County and Delaware County including but not limited to Downingtown, West Chester, Exton, Coatesville, Phoenixville, Malvern, Lyndell, Wagontown, Uwchland, Parkesburg, Chester Springs.
