As an employee, it is easy to feel powerless in the face of threats of termination or suspension from an employer. Those facing employment termination or other adverse employment actions may simply give up, believing any fight would be hopeless. However, it is important to remember that employees are protected by various laws and understanding… [Read More]
Legal Remedies for Wrongful Termination
When you are wrongfully terminated from your job, there are a number of legal remedies you may pursue, with a general goal of making you whole again. Back Pay Following Wrongful Termination If a court finds that your employer wrongfully terminated you, you may be entitled to back pay. Back pay will include payments and… [Read More]
When is it Illegal to Fire an Employee?
If you have been fired from your job, you may wonder if there is any legal recourse. The general rule regarding employment termination is that employment is at will, meaning an employer can terminate employment for almost any reason, whether it is a personal disagreement or they believe your performance is subpar. Bottom line is… [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]
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]
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]
Zero Tolerance for Iowa Sexual Harassment
The national spotlight on sexual harassment in the workplace has resulted in more employees coming forward, sending a message that it is not going to be tolerated. Iowa is no exception, with state legislators and the Governor leading the charge by enacting a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment in the statehouse. The fervor to… [Read More]
Fired for Social Media Post
Can I get fired for something I posted to my personal Facebook page? It really depends on the circumstances… Take the case of the former employee of a medical transport company located in Maryland who complained on Facebook that her termination of employment was unfair. One of her former colleagues, who was still employed at… [Read More]
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
A Polk County jury has awarded long-time University of Iowa employee Jane Meyer $1.43 million over the loss of her job as the university’s senior associate athletic director, finding in her favor on claims of gender and sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation. The executive director of the Equal Rights Advocates summed it up saying that… [Read More]
Des Moines Wrongful Termination Lawyer
Iowa law provides little protection from being fired from your job. Iowa is an at-will state, which means that an employer can terminate an employee even if it is for bad cause or no cause at all. At-Will Employment in Iowa However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. Although the at-will standard means… [Read More]
