All Americans enjoy a basic set of rights in the workplace under federal law. Some states take it a step further, offering additional protections against sexual harassment and sex discrimination at the state level that the federal law does not cover. Fortunately for Iowans, Iowa law has additional prohibitions against employment discrimination that do not… [Read More]
Supreme Court Considers Transgender Employment Rights
In a question that has divided the nations lower courts, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule on whether Title VII of the civil rights act prohibiting sex discrimination in the workplace also extends protection to discrimination based on sexual orientation. Federal law forbids employment discrimination on the basis of race, color religion, national… [Read More]
National Origin Employment Discrimination
Lawmakers have recently reintroduced the Accountability through Electronic Verification Act that would require all U.S. employers to use the E-Verify to ensure that U.S. jobs are filled by Americans and foreign citizens that have a legal right to work in the country. The legislation would permanently reauthorize the e-verify program created in 1996 and put… [Read More]
Pervasive Workplace Sexual Harassment in Medicine
More than 1 in 10 female doctors and over 15 percent of all female residents have experienced sexual harassment within the last 3 years according to a Medscape Sexual Harassment of Physicians 2018 Report. Roughly half of the doctors reporting said that the person that harassed them was another physician. Unfortunately, sexual harassment against women… [Read More]
Arbitration in Sexual Harassment Cases
Arbitration in sexual harassment cases favors business by keeping companies out of court and the public eye. Instead of a judge and jury, an arbitrator is in the driver’s seat who typically awards smaller sums to victims. Because the process is confidential, even if harassers are shown the door, they can easily move to other… [Read More]
Age Discrimination on the Rise
Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) certain job applicants and employees 40 years of age and older are protected from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, firing, promotions, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment. Although it is prohibited, many older employees are subject to age discrimination in… [Read More]
When Employers Ignore Sexual Harassment Complaints
When employers receive sexual harassment complaints about star employees, recent revelations about abuse across the country point to a common reaction: brush it aside, keep it quiet, and silence the victim through retaliation. After all, there is money to be made and who can afford to lose a rain maker. What many corporations and managers… [Read More]
Reinstatement of Duties Following FMLA Leave
So many times when someone leaves their employment to take FMLA leave, they experience problems with reinstatement to their job when they return. They may be shuffled into a position that hardly compares to the job they left, sometimes receiving a reduction in pay and benefits, a change in hours or shift, and even a… [Read More]
EEOC Holding Companies Accountable for Sex Discrimination & Harassment
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws pertaining to illegal discrimination or harassment based on sex. In light of the #MeToo and #TimesUp sex discrimination and harassment movements, the EEOC has renewed their efforts to stop this type of workplace harassment in its tracks. Just recently the commission… [Read More]
Des Moines Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer
Many working women are victims of workplace discrimination due to pregnancy. In physically demanding jobs, pregnant women risk losing their jobs when they request less strenuous tasks or other accommodations. In the corporate world, professional women may be perceived as less committed, resulting in missed promotions, raises or bonuses, and desirable assignments. While some women… [Read More]
