Pennsylvania L&I Aims to Educate About Worker Misclassification


NFPA 70e Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$199
Coupon Price:
$149
Reserve Your Seat Today

Pennsylvania Worker Misclassification Campaign highlights employee classification rules, independent contractor risks, labor rights, wage and hour compliance, overtime, FMLA protections, workplace safety, and DOL enforcement to prevent misclassified workers from losing benefits.

 

Key Points

A state campaign educating workers and employers on employee classification, labor rights, and misclassification risks.

✅ Clarifies employee vs. independent contractor under PA law

✅ Promotes wage, overtime, FMLA, and safety compliance

✅ Funded by U.S. DOL grant; statewide ads and outreach

 

Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor & Industry has launched a public awareness campaign intended to inform workers and employers about the dangers of being misclassified as independent contractors, especially as federal telework policy continues to evolve.

According to DOL, misclassified workers frequently lose out on access to critical benefits and protections they are entitled to receive, such as minimum wage, overtime compensation, family and medical leave, and safe workplaces, as illustrated by the Kentucky miners case that left workers with cold checks.

“Incorrectly classifying a worker as an independent contractor causes harm to the worker, a risk reflected in the OHS vulnerability measure used by safety researchers, by withholding rights that belong to legitimate employees,” Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino said in an Oct. 19 press release. “Our goal for this campaign is to educate workers and employers about the important differences between an employee and a contractor.”

The campaign includes digital advertisements, radio spots and bus placards that address the knowledge gap contributing to on-the-job electrical injuries.

The U.S. Department of Labor provided the grant money to fund the campaign, similar in spirit to initiatives that help workers transition from declining industries.

Related News

Hydro One employee suffers 'serious injuries' while replacing pole

Hydro One workplace injury Thunder Bay highlights an Ontario Ministry of Labour investigation after a live power line contact, with burn unit treatment, safety compliance reviews, training records requests, and inspector oversight at utility site.

 

Key Points

A Hydro One incident in Thunder Bay under Ontario labour investigation, after live line contact and burn unit care.

✅ Ministry of Labour probing live line contact incident

✅ Training records and safety manuals requested from Hydro One

✅ Inspector on site; employer report pending compliance

 

Ontario's Ministry of Labour has confirmed a Hydro One employee was taken to hospital after being injured on a job site in Thunder Bay, Ont.

The employee was hospitalized after the incident on Oct. 23 during work to replace a hydro pole in the northwestern Ontario city, a ministry spokesperson told CBC News.

"Our investigation will continue," Janet Deline said. "[Further steps] could be anything from examining the incident site, any equipment involved; our inspectors may interview witnesses, so co-workers, supervisors."

Deline added that she's not aware of the worker's current condition

A Hydro One spokesperson confirmed in an email that one of the company's employees suffered a "serious workplace injury," after he contacted a live power line, reflecting the risks of on-the-job electrical injuries in the sector, adding that he has been receiving specialized treatment in a burn unit.

The company would not answer other questions, such as where or when the incident happened, nor provide other details about the nature of the work, but said officials are in contact with the family, while BC Hydro Site C COVID-19 updates illustrate a different approach to public reporting by utilities. The ministry said it can't release any personal information, like a name or where the employee is from, citing privacy legislation.

Training records, policy manuals collected in investigation

The labour ministry and Hydro One both confirmed the incident remains under investigation. The ministry said it has requested training records, qualification certificates and policy and procedure manuals from Hydro One, aligning with federal efforts to support the future of work in the electricity sector nationwide.

An inspector arrived in Thunder Bay on Oct. 26, Deline said, and external investigators at Manitoba Hydro have been engaged in other cases.

As of Tuesday afternoon, "17 of those requirements have been complied with," Deline said, noting that enforcement outcomes in serious cases can include penalties, as in a company fined after fatal electrocution reported previously, and adding that the ministry was still waiting on a submission from the utility about its own investigation into the incident.

"Employers are required to ... provide a written information to us on what happened, sort of their version, if you will," she said.

Deline said it's too soon to tell how long the investigation will take to complete.

 

Related News

View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.