Crime Victims Leave – 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 4957

Covered Employers: All employers

Employee Eligibility: All employees

Entitlement: An employer shall not deprive an employee of his employment, seniority position or benefits (or threaten/coerce them with such) because the employee attends court because he/she is a victim of, or a witness to, a crime or is a member of such victim's family.
An employee who is the alleged offender is not eligible for time off.

Employer Notice: Not specified

Employee Notice: Not specified

Obligation to Provide Certifications or Documents Supporting Need for Leave: Not specified

Paid?: There is no explicit requirement that the employee be compensated for absences taken pursuant to the statute. However, the statute prohibits an employer from "depriving" an employee of benefits, and an argument can be made that the prohibition precludes an employer from requiring an employee to use available paid leave during absences.

Benefits: The employer may not deprive the employee benefits because the employee utilizes leave under this law.

Reinstatement: Not specified but an employer shall not deprive an employee of his employment, seniority position or benefits, or threaten or otherwise coerce him with respect thereto.

Other Important Definitions/Requirements: For definitions of "victim" and "family member," see 1998 Act 111, Section 103.

Relationship with Other Leave: Not specified

Absence Specifications