A letter from our director
“Work should pay what was promised, and it should never cost you your dignity.”
We opened Unison because people across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties were losing pay and jobs to things the law already forbids, and no one would take the call. Their claims were too small for most firms and too big to let go.
So tell us what happened. We'll say plainly what the law says, and if you have a case, we'll take it on at no charge to workers who qualify.
Carys Pryce
Executive director and managing attorney
- I was fired or pushed to quitAfter a complaint, an injury, a leave or a pregnancy
- My pay came up shortMissing overtime, tips, a final check or hours off the clock
- I'm treated worse for who I amRace, sex, age, disability, religion or where you're from
- Someone at work won't stopComments, touching, threats, or a manager who looks away
- I'm not sure it countsFour questions tell you if we can help
How we're paid for
Funded by neighbors, so workers don't pay us
Unison is a nonprofit. Grants, local donors and volunteer lawyers cover our costs, so a worker who qualifies never gets a bill from us for advice or for a case we take.
That also means we answer to the people we serve. We don't take employers as clients, and we don't push a case that won't help you just because it could pay.
Our help is free for workers who qualify. If a case goes to court, filing and transcript costs can come up; we ask the court to waive them when we can, and we tell you before any cost is yours.
Know the clock
The numbers that shape a work case
Nothing
What qualifying workers pay usFor advice, letters and lawsuits
180 days
The shortest deadline to file a discrimination chargeSome states allow 300
2 years
To claim back wages under federal lawThree if the employer knew better
4
Questions in our eligibility checkAbout two minutes
Deadlines depend on the claim and the state, so check yours with us early. Our help is free to workers who qualify; court filing costs are separate, and we ask the court to waive them when we can.
The cases we take
Four problems we handle every week
Each starts with a free conversation with a staff attorney, who tells you which of these fits, if any.
Fired or forced out
Let go after you complained, got hurt, took leave or told a boss you were pregnant. Or made so miserable you had to quit.
About wrongful firingUnpaid wages and overtime
Hours worked off the clock, overtime paid as straight time, tips kept by a manager, a last paycheck that never came.
About unpaid wagesDiscrimination
Passed over, cut back or let go because of your race, sex, age, disability, religion, or the country your family comes from.
About discriminationHarassment
Comments, touching or threats that make work unsafe, and an employer that knew and did nothing.
About harassment
Who calls us
The people this center is for
Most of our clients work hourly jobs in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and the towns between.
Not sure you have a case? Ask us anyway.
Answer four questions, or call and talk it through. If we can't help, we'll tell you who can.