The Harsh Reality of PA Labor Law
Let's not sugarcoat it: Pennsylvania law does NOT require private employers to pay employees for time spent on jury duty.
If you are an hourly worker in PA and you miss a shift to go to court, you lose that income. The state expects you to survive on the $9 daily stipend the court provides. This glaring lack of protection is why so many PA residents claim financial hardship.
What the Law Does Protect
While they don't have to pay you, PA employers cannot penalize you. It is illegal for a Pennsylvania employer to fire you, demote you, or threaten your job because you received a summons. Furthermore, they cannot force you to use your sick time or vacation time to cover the absence, though you may choose to do so voluntarily.
The Retail Exemption
There is one small caveat in PA law protecting retail and service workers. If you work in a retail or service establishment with fewer than 15 employees, you can be excused from jury duty entirely if your absence would cause severe hardship to the business.