Employment Law Project

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLSA) has a long history of representation of clients in unemployment compensation cases. In 2006-2007, NLSA increased employment related representation to include other legal issues related to a clients need to achieve a basic level of income e.g. job preservation and removal of barriers to employment by expungement of criminal records and child abuse allegations, and pursuing unpaid wage claims. NLSA began providing advice on pardon issues; terminations of employment for medical leave usage or child support garnishment of wages; occupational license issues; non-compete agreement issues; access to income streams related to employment e.g., pensions and employer provided disability benefits; misclassification of workers as independent contractors; discrimination in employment; and at will discharges. As part of this project, NLSA also provides outreach and community education to community groups and clients. NLSA’s Employment Project Coordinator, Elizabeth Tuccillo, coordinates the activities of the staff attorneys and paralegals working on the project. In 2009-1010, NLSA conducted 16 outreach events for 230 individuals, and provided employment law training to such organizations as PHFA Housing Counselors, Carnegie Library, New Castle Career Link, Allegheny County Career Link, Job Training in Beaver County, and the Mon Valley Initiative.