Pennsylvania Human Relations Act — employer coverage threshold
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) prohibits employment discrimination and applies to employers with four or more persons employed within Pennsylvania, including the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This four-employee threshold is significantly lower than federal Title VII's fifteen-employee minimum. The PHRA excludes religious, fraternal, charitable, or sectarian corporations or associations from the definition of "employer," except when such organizations receive government appropriations. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) enforces the Act.
Source: 43 P.S. § 954(b) (Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Section 4 — Definitions)
PHRA protected classes in employment
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, or non-job related handicap or disability. Employers may not refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate in compensation, hire, tenure, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment based on these characteristics. The Act also protects individuals from discrimination based on use of a guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness, or physical handicap.
Source: 43 P.S. § 955(a) (Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Section 5 — Unlawful Discriminatory Practices)