Practicing in Pennsylvania: A Guide for the New Dentist March 2016 | Page 39

Employee Info

Employment Procedures

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act established the guidelines for hiring, firing, promoting and setting conditions of employment. Under these procedures, it is unlawful to discriminate due to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, non-job related disability, sex, known association with a disability or possession of a diploma based on passing a general education development (GED) test.

It also is unlawful for an employer, prior to employment, to publish any advertisement that expresses preference or limitation concerning any of the above conditions. All applicable fair practice notices must be posted in the office.

Employment Eligibility Verification

To be a licensed dentist in Pennsylvania, you must either be a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted into the United States for permanent residence.

As an employer, you are prohibited from hiring illegal aliens, and you must verify that any new employee is either a naturalized citizen, a native of the United States, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or an alien authorized by the Immigration Service to work in the United States. Use the I-9 Form to verify a potential employee’s citizenship. You can request copies of this form by contacting the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service at (800) 375-5283 or visit www.uscis.gov.

Unemployment insurance is paid by the practice as a percentage of the employee’s compensation and is designed to provide economic protection for employees who are out of work or between jobs.

When an ex-employee files for benefits, the practice will receive a questionnaire requesting details of the separation. This information is critical if there is a subsequent dispute as to whether the former employee qualifies for benefits. Carefully read all notices and mailings from the state regarding unemployment claims. The number of employees collecting benefits affects a practice’s required contribution rate to the unemployment insurance fund.

Unemployment Insurance

Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry at (717) 787-4410 or visit www.phrc.state.pa.us for information on legal statutes and mandatory regulations for fair employment practices.

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