With the 2020 Fourth of July weekend fast approaching, Iowans are reminded to “think safety” when setting off fireworks to avoid injuries, which can happen in the blink of an eye. Since the legalization of the sale and use of fireworks in 2017, fireworks have been flying off the shelves and, according to one seller,… Read More »
Sexual Orientation Employment Discrimination Prohibited Under Federal Law
In what is seen as a big win for LGBT employment rights, the Supreme Court has ruled that sexual orientation discrimination is a violation of Title VII of the civil rights act which protects employees from sex discrimination. “An employer that fires or otherwise discriminates against an employee merely for being gay or transgender defies… Read More »
Protecting Businesses and Healthcare Providers from Covid-19 Liability
Iowa lawmakers have passed legislation which largely shields businesses and health care providers from lawsuits related to the Corona virus. Although the bill passed in a 31-18 vote, groups representing Iowa meat packing plants and nursing homes, both hit hard by Corona virus infections, argue the new law will undoubtedly result in businesses not being… Read More »
Workers’ Compensation for Covid-19 Illness
Whether coverage will be expanded remains to be seen, but keep in mind that infectious diseases such as the flu are not covered under workers’ compensation because it is nearly impossible to determine when and where someone contracted the illness and coverage under workers’ compensation insurance depends on whether an injury or illness resulted from… Read More »
Caution Urged as 2020 Motorcycle Season Ramps Up
Unfortunately, last week a motorcycle accident resulted in a fatality at SW 7th and MLK parkway in Des Moines. According to police, a teen driver’s failure to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic while turning at the intersection contributed to the crash. With nice weather returning to the area, car and truck motorists… Read More »
Controlling Hazards in the Workplace to Prevent Injuries and Fatalities
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers have the responsibility to provide their employees a safe and healthful workplace that is free from serious recognized hazards. A big part of protecting workers involves workplace controls including: eliminating or substituting hazards engineering controls administrative controls and work practice controls Elimination (including substitution) involves removing a… Read More »
Enforcing Child Custody and Visitation During Covid-19
Family law attorneys across Iowa have never seen an event that has been as disruptive to child custody agreements as Covid-19. Reluctance to allow agreed upon visitation out of fear that children will become infected has led some parents to defy child custody orders or seek emergency orders when they feel the other parent is… Read More »
Prevent Dog Bites During Covid-19
Most families and children are home during the temporary shutdown, but there are still a number of employees who provide essential services exempted from the social isolation requirements including USPS mail carriers and also private delivery companies such as Fed Ex and UPS who all continue to deliver mail and packages to homes across the… Read More »
Changes to FMLA Leave in Response to Covid-19 Pandemic
A new bill signed by President Trump changes some of the provisions of the Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA) in response to the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the nation. In a nutshell, FMLA is amended (Families First Coronavirus Response Act) to allow U.S. workers employed by private entities or individuals with fewer than 500 employees… 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 »
