Iowa top court: Firing of attractive aide is legal
Legal Marketing
e Iowa Supreme Court on Friday stood by its ruling that a dentist acted legally when he fired an assistant because he found her too attractive and worried he would try to start an affair.
Coming to the same conclusion as it did in December, the all-male court found that bosses can fire employees they see as threats to their marriages, even if the subordinates have not engaged in flirtatious or other inappropriate behavior. The court said such firings do not count as illegal sex discrimination because they are motivated by feelings, not gender.
The ruling upholds a judge's decision to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit filed against Fort Dodge dentist James Knight, who fired assistant Melissa Nelson, even while acknowledging she had been a stellar employee for 10 years. Knight and his wife believed that his attraction to Nelson _ two decades younger than the dentist _ had become a threat to their marriage. Nelson, now 33, was replaced by another woman; Knight had an all-female staff.
The all-male court issued its revised opinion Friday in the case after taking the unusual step last month of withdrawing its December opinion, which had received nationwide publicity, debate and criticism.
Nelson's attorney, Paige Fiedler, had asked the court in January to reconsider, calling the decision a blow for gender and racial equity in the workplace. She had warned the opinion could allow bosses to legally fire dark-skinned blacks and replace them with light-skinned blacks or small-breasted workers in favor of big-breasted workers.
Related listings
-
Law Promo Launches the Special Education Law Attorney Website
Legal Marketing 09/01/2017We are delighted to announce the launch of Forte Law Group LLC website, designed with a fresh new look and user-friendly navigation.Forte Law Group focuses on special education law and empowering parents to advocate for their child’s rights. Yo...
-
Law Promo Launches the San Diego Business Law Attorney Website
Legal Marketing 09/01/2017We are delighted to announce the release of Dart law website, designed with a fresh new look and user-friendly navigation.Dart Law is a full-service civil litigation firm representing clients in business, commercial and real estate disputes. Drawing ...
-
Law Promo Launches the Mason & Associates Website
Legal Marketing 08/16/2017Law Promo is pleased to announce the launch of the new website for Mason & Associates. About the firm: We are exceptional attorneys with a proven track record. Our experience, intimate knowledge of the law and courts, and sheer determination comb...
New Rochelle, New York Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP, in New Rochelle, New York, immediately. We can answer all your questions and work with you to determine if you have the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at our firm are determined to resolve even the most difficult of cases. We will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to get your claim or case resolved in the most efficient way possible. We will fight for your right to compensation! No one should have to suffer a financial burden from the result of another person’s carelessness. The attorneys at Kommer, Bave & Ollman, LLP will aggressively fight to ensure that justice is served on your behalf.