Working for a Living

Part of standing up for yourself is educating yourself. The Fiedler Law blog goes in-depth on issues from within our practice areas, from our team. Take time to read about topics that may affect you or issues you are dealing with.

FLF Client Pushes for Equality in Polk County

by Amy Beck

Happy Pride Month! We are constantly amazed by our LGBTQ+ clients and allies that have the courage and tenacity to take a stand when they see injustice. James Sargent is someone we are particularly proud of. James always dreamed of working within the Polk County Medical Examiner’s office (“PCME”). He had the requisite skills, education, and experience to excel there. However, he was not selected… Read More

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Get Out the Vote!

by Amy Beck
Policy

Election Day is around the corner.  Do you have a voting plan? Polling Place.  Do you know where to vote?  If not, confirm your polling place here. Voting Times.  Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. statewide. Voter Registration.  Are you registered to vote?  If so, great work!  You can skip this section.  If not, do not worry.  Iowa allows same day… Read More

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Back to School Blues

by Amy Beck

Across the country, teachers are facing a difficult decision between returning to the classrooms and potentially putting their lives at risk or foregoing their career.  This is an especially scary situation for our immunocompromised educators. What options do teachers have? First, if a teacher has a disability (like diabetes or cystic fibrosis), he or she can make a formal request for accommodations.[1]  COVID-19 and stressors… Read More

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U.S. Supreme Court Says Title VII Protects LGBT Workers

by Amy Beck

In 2007, the Iowa Civil Rights Act (Iowa Code Chapter 216) was expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of protected classes in our state’s civil rights laws.  This made it illegal to discriminate against a person because of his/her actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.  Now, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (the federal civil… Read More

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Heads, The Police Win. Tails, the Victim Loses.

by Paige Fiedler
Public Good

One of the foundations of our justice system is that no one is above the law. Each of us is held responsible for our own actions.  If I get distracted while I’m driving and rear-end the car in front of me, I have to pay for the damage.  If I hurt somebody, either negligently or on purpose, I’m liable to them for everything they’ve lost…. Read More

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The Time to Act is Now

by Amy Beck

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Americans, we can do better.  We must do better.  Silence is not an option. For the last week, we have seen images of George Floyd plastered across our television screens and social media feeds.  Many of us cried out in anger as… Read More

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What You Need to Know About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

by Amy Beck

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  The FFCRA can be broken down into two sections.  The FMLA amendments are in the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) and the new paid sick leave law is under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA).  Both laws apply to private employers with fewer than 500 employees… Read More

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Unemployment Insurance Benefits & COVID-19

by Madison Fiedler-Carlson
Unemployment

This is a difficult time, even without anxiety over whether you will be able to pay your bills.  Many people believe that you have to be, well, unemployed in order to qualify for Unemployment Insurance in Iowa.  Fortunately, that is not the case. Due to the threat of COVID-19, on March 17, Governor Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency, ordering gyms, bars,… Read More

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COVID-19: Keeping Your Job While Keeping Others (and Yourself) Safe

by Amy Beck
Uncategorized

COVID-19 is here.  Over the last week, we’ve seen just a glimpse of how life will change in the coming weeks and months.  March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day Parades, concerts, and schools have been cancelled.  Although difficult, these are steps in the right direction to limit the spread of a virus that could cripple our healthcare system and put our loved ones at risk. Many… Read More

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Age Discrimination and You

by Madison Fiedler-Carlson
Age Discrimination

I’m an older person who is highly qualified and looking to change jobs, but for some reason, businesses don’t seem interested in me.  I’m starting to think it’s my age. What should I do? Unfortunately, you are not alone.  Starting a new job or new career later in life is daunting enough without the prospect of being treated differently because of your age. Under state… Read More

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