As most public employers know, the rules that apply to the rest of the private employment world are sometimes different for them, particularly when it comes to pay, leave, and similar items. Iowa Code 29A.28 provides that...more
A recent concern in the healthcare sector, specifically hospitals, is a large class action wage hour claim in the state of Washington, Bennett v. Providence Health & Services. In this instance, a review of the order granting...more
On January 11, 2024, the EEOC announced it was settling an alleged sex discrimination claim with a national retail corporation in Ottumwa, Iowa. The allegation was that the store had improperly used sex stereotyping about...more
Over the last several years, HR managers have struggled with recruitment and retention, but few industries have had as much difficulty in obtaining adequate staff as healthcare. Recognizing these issues, during the 2022...more
Q: One of my employees has reported that another employee is recording all of their conversations. It makes everyone uncomfortable. What am I supposed to do about this?...more
The WARN Act requires businesses to give employees notice of a large-scale layoff. Who receives the notice and when can be confusing. Here are three common questions about WARN notices....more
7/12/2022
/ Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Human Resources Professionals ,
Labor Regulations ,
Layoff Notices ,
Layoffs ,
Notice Requirements ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour ,
WARN Act
Businesses operating in Iowa need to take into consideration both the Federal WARN Act, which applies to companies with 100 or more employees, as well as the Iowa Layoff Notification Law, or the Iowa Mini-WARN, which applies...more
7/7/2022
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Federal Labor Laws ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Layoff Notices ,
Layoffs ,
Notice Requirements ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour ,
WARN Act
Background checks have always been a huge issue in the world of healthcare, with many state-specific statutes requiring how background checks are conducted, as well as the other more complex national issues regarding...more
Q: With the current employment shortage we find ourselves hiring more high school or younger employees. What are the limitations there?...more
Q: We had a payroll issue and accidentally overpaid an employee quite a bit. Can we simply withhold from their future paychecks?...more
Q: Ban the Box has been around for several years now, and I know at least one city in Iowa implemented local regulations about background checks. What is the status in Iowa?...more
3/11/2022
/ Background Checks ,
Ban the Box ,
Conditional Job Offers ,
Criminal Background Checks ,
Criminal Records ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Discrimination ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Human Resources Professionals ,
Job Applicants ,
State Labor Laws
Q: We recently had several employees apply for FMLA. Two of them are at least 100 hours short of the minimum 1,250-hour requirement but for different reasons. In an attempt to accommodate the first employee’s health issues,...more
3/3/2022
/ ADAAA ,
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Employment Policies ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Human Resources Professionals ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour
Even though we haven’t finished the Drake Relays and most likely have at least one more blizzard in our future, employers are thinking about when school ends and potentially hiring youth workers in Iowa. Employers who hire a...more
Q: We need to implement a new time clock system this year and there are some easy to use ones that use fingerprints, retina scans, or hand scans. I know biometrics are a big issue - does Iowa limit the use of biometric data...more
It is no surprise to any Iowa employer that the state has one of the most complex drug testing statutes in the country. Iowa Code §730.5 places the burden specifically on the employer to show strict compliance and can be...more
2/28/2020
/ Appeals ,
Dismissals ,
Drug Testing ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Employment Policies ,
Immunity ,
Reversal ,
State Labor Laws ,
Substantial Compliance ,
Termination
Q: We have a lot of shift work in a 24/7 industry, and we really struggle with absenteeism. Can I fine employees for failure to show up or to get their own replacement?...more