READ AND PASSED

The enacted measure adds workplace protections tied to COVID-19 public health orders issued by Pennsylvania or Philadelphia health departments. Employers must follow applicable safe-workplace requirements and may not retaliate against employees who report suspected violations or, after notifying the employer, refuse to work in conditions they reasonably believe are unsafe because of those violations. Employees may file complaints and, after department review, pursue legal remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, damages, and attorney’s fees.

Amending The Philadelphia Code to add a new Chapter, entitled "Employee Protections in Connection with COVID-19 Emergency Health Order," to provide workplace protections in emergency health orders and regulations, provide protections for employees against retaliatory actions both for the disclosure of information related to employer non-compliance with such orders and for refusal to work under unsafe conditions caused by non-compliance with such orders, all under certain terms and conditions.