Marburger v. Upper Hanover Township

**What Happened** A worker sued Upper Hanover Township, claiming discrimination, harassment, retaliation, constructive discharge, and wage theft. The employee alleged various workplace violations and sought damages against their government employer. **What the Court Decided** The federal court dismissed all federal claims and sent the case back to state court. The court ruled it had no authority to hear the case because Upper Hanover Township employed fewer than 15 people, which meant federal anti-discrimination laws like Title VII didn't apply. Additionally, the court found the worker wasn't covered by the Equal Pay Act because they were a political appointee rather than a civil service employee. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case highlights important limitations in federal employment protections. Workers at small employers (under 15 employees) cannot use federal anti-discrimination laws, leaving them to rely on potentially weaker state protections. Political appointees and certain government workers may also have fewer federal protections than regular employees. Workers should understand that the size of their employer and their specific job classification can significantly affect which laws protect them from workplace discrimination and harassment.