DID YOU KNOW? In the late 1800s, the American labor force was overworked and underpaid. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and while businesses profited, workers suffered. Many Americans were forced to work 12-hour days, seven days a week, and children as young as five or six worked in mills, factories, and mines across the country. Library of Congress, National Child Labor Committee Collection… Read More
Category Archives: Public Good
HEADS, THE POLICE WIN. TAILS, THE VICTIM LOSES.
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
Severance Agreements
You might have heard that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently held that employers may not condition severance pay on workers agreeing to confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses. A confidentiality clause requires the worker not to tell anyone except their spouse and tax preparer how much severance pay they received. A non-disparagement clause generally requires the worker not to say anything negative about the… Read More
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org.
Friday, the Supreme Court has overturned the landmark decisions of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, eviscerating nearly 50 years of precedent recognizing abortion as a fundamental right. See Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973); Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992). The Court’s 213-page opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was released this morning, and flatly states, “The… Read More
Heads, The Police Win. Tails, the Victim Loses.
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
The Time to Act is Now
“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
Right to Sue
“I filed my civil rights complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (“ICRC”) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), my claim is being investigated, and more than 60 days has elapsed. I have the option of requesting my Right-to-Sue letter now. Should I wait to hire an attorney until after I receive my Right-to-Sue letter?” The short answer is no. First, your civil rights… Read More
What to Know: Election Day 2018
Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it. – Susan B. Anthony Tomorrow is Election Day in the U.S.A., and Fiedler Law Firm wants to make sure that you are heard at the polls. Because voting can be tricky, we have outlined some frequently asked questions below to make voting a little easier for you. Voter Registration. I forgot to register. Can I still… Read More
What Do You Mean?
A Helpful List of Many Employment Law-Related Words and their Meanings At-Will State: When an employee can be dismissed by an employer for any reason (that is, without having to establish “just cause” for termination), and without warning, as long as the reason is not illegal (e.g. firing because of the employee’s protect class). Right to Work State: A Right to Work law guarantees that… Read More
What Does it Mean When People say Iowa is an “At Will” State?
You’ve just started a new job and your employee handbook says you are employed “at-will.” Then you see that at-will means that you can be fired at any time, for any reason or no reason at all. Now that you are sweating, and likely freaking out a little, you ask yourself, “Does this mean I don’t have any options if I’m fired?” Don’t worry. Simply… Read More