An employer may exclude those with Covid-19, or symptoms associated with the virus, from the workplace because “their presence would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.” Most employees are willing to do their part, staying home to prevent the spread of the virus, but wonder what will happen when a… Read More »
Falsely Accused of Sexual Harassment
While over 75 percent of those surveyed say that the #MeToo movement has had a positive impact on their employment, 44% of men and 36% of women say that the #MeToo movement has damaged trust between the HR department and employees. For thirty years, HR has been the department charged with preventing, policing and investigating… Read More »
Fired From Job After Drug Testing
The trend toward legalizing the use of recreational pot across the nation shows no sign of stopping. Despite the fact that marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, and recreational use is still prohibited in many states including Iowa, rapid legalization by several states along with a more relaxed attitude toward marijuana use in general… Read More »
Tech Giant Ends Arbitration Requirement in Employment Disputes
Setting the bar for employers across the nation, tech giant Google will end mandatory arbitration of employment disputes beginning in March of this year – an expansion of a previous decision to do away with forced arbitration in cases of alleged sexual harassment and assault. Following the #me-too movement, big tech companies such as Google,… Read More »
Family Medical Leave Act Violations: What To look For
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides employees with job-protected and unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons with a continuation of group health insurance coverage. FMLA enables workers to balance the demands of work and family without having to choose between keeping their job and caring for themselves or loved ones. An… Read More »
Fear of Retaliation – Unreported Work Injuries
A complaint about employer retaliation posted on the Des Moines Register’s Readers Watchdog in November has shaken things up at Des Moines Public Works. The tip posted by an unnamed employee said workers were not reporting on-the-job injuries for fear of being ‘written up’ prompting an investigation by Iowa OSHA. Research reveals that work place… Read More »
Employer Retaliation & Wrongful Termination
The Waukee Community School District and its chief operating officer have come under fire for wrongful termination and violating the state’s whistle blower statute. In a lawsuit filed earlier this week, a former administrative assistant alleges that she was forced from her job after reporting her supervisor’s misconduct. More specifically, she alleges that her boss… Read More »
