Penalties for Wage Theft.
Philadelphia Code § 9-4307
in effect§ 9-4307. Penalties for Wage Theft.
(1) The Enforcement Agency is authorized to administratively adjudicate potential violations of this Chapter and shall have the power to seek penalties and fines for any violation of this Chapter pursuant to subsection (1)(a), below, and to provide or obtain appropriate relief. Remedies shall include ordering an employer to pay the unpaid wages due, with interest, to the employee and liquidated damages pursuant to subsection (1)(b), below.
(a) If the Enforcement Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter has occurred, the Enforcement Agency may seek a civil monetary penalty of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each violation, payable to the City.
(b) If the Agency determines that a violation under this Chapter has occurred, the complaining employee shall be entitled to liquidated damages, in accordance with state and federal wage laws, in an amount equal to the unpaid wages or five hundred dollars ($500), whichever is greater, payable to the employee and awarded at the time a determination is issued by the Agency. Liquidated damages under this subsection are intended to make the employee whole and to compensate the employee for collateral harms suffered as a result of the violation and for the employee’s time and effort enforcing the rights afforded to the employee under this Chapter.
(2) The Enforcement Agency or the City Solicitor may elect to enforce violations of this Chapter by filing a judicial action in a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon finding a violation, the court may award appropriate relief and impose the penalties and liquidated damages set forth in subsection (1), above.
Notes
1364 | Amended, Bill No. 171113 (approved March 6, 2018); amended, Bill No. 250065 (approved May 27, 2025).
Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-280657Fetched: 10/27/2026