When thinking about LGBTQ Pride month, the first thing that may come to mind is the display of beautiful rainbow flags, exciting events, and messages of love and support. But do you know how this month got its start? Over 50 years ago – yes, the time before smartphones and before the Beatles broke up – there was an event called the Stonewall Uprising in… Read More
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Get Out the Vote!
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
U.S. Supreme Court Says Title VII Protects LGBT Workers
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
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
Moody Settles Lawsuit with Iowa State
NIKKI MOODY HAS SETTLED HER LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE OF IOWA AND IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOR $60,000. DES MOINES, IA – Former Iowa State University basketball standout Nikki Moody and her attorneys, Brooke Timmer and Katie Ervin Carlson of the law firm Fiedler & Timmer, released statements today after reaching a settlement in a discrimination lawsuit brought against Iowa State University. Nikki now lives in… Read More