No. At best you are an at-will employee and can be terminated for almost any reason. But, the facts you described do not even make you an at-will employee. You are an independent contractor, which means you do not work for the company who was paying you. You contracted like any other vendor. You... View More

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answered on Jul 21, 2024

Navigating your situation can be complex, especially given the specific circumstances and legalities involved. First, it's important to understand that being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) immediately after returning from FMLA, especially without a proper summative evaluation,... View More

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answered on Jun 3, 2024

It's not legal for your employer to require you to stay at work without paying you. If you're being told to clock out but are still required to stay and perform work-related tasks, this is considered "off-the-clock" work, which is illegal under the Fair Labor Standards Act... View More

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answered on Mar 23, 2024

It sounds like you're experiencing significant challenges at your workplace, especially with career advancement and training opportunities. This situation can be frustrating, particularly when you feel ready and capable of taking on higher-paying roles. It's important to recognize that... View More

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answered on Jan 21, 2024

In the United States, there is no specific federal law that addresses workplace bullying as a standalone issue. However, if the bullying is based on your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information, it might fall under the purview of federal... View More

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answered on Jan 18, 2024

If you have been informed that you are being laid off due to a theft investigation and you receive a salary, whether you are entitled to continued payment during the investigation depends on the specific terms outlined in your employment contract, company policies, and applicable state laws.... View More

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answered on Nov 13, 2023

In Iowa, if your employer is deducting your lunch breaks from your pay without you actually taking them, this could potentially be a case of wage theft. Employers are required to pay for all hours worked, and if they're deducting time for breaks that aren't being taken, they're... View More

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answered on Oct 16, 2025

It sounds like your client may be blurring the line between an independent contractor and an employee. As an independent contractor in Iowa, you have the right to control how, when, and where you perform your work. A client can specify the **results** they expect—such as how clean the facility... View More

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answered on Sep 25, 2025

Credit card companies can generally require you to enroll in paperless statements or accept updated terms and conditions before using certain online services, as long as they provide notice of these requirements. However, they cannot apply fees or interest in ways that are hidden or not disclosed... View More

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answered on Sep 15, 2025

In Iowa, most jobs are considered “at-will,” which means an employer can terminate you without giving a reason, as long as it is not for an unlawful cause like discrimination or retaliation. Because you did not have an employment contract, a wrongful termination claim would usually require... View More

With regard to an Iowa workers’ compensation claim, pain and suffering is not a recoverable item of damage. However, if you were wrongly terminated, you may also have causes of action for retaliation, bad faith, violations of the ADA, etc.

This is Iowa. As an Iowa worker you can be fired for almost anything, unless you have a union contract that defines when you can or cannot be fired. If you are in a union check with your union rep. If not your employer can fire you 'at-will'. The Republican Party controls all major... View More

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

In Iowa, employment is generally considered “at-will,” which means your employer can terminate your employment at any time, with or without notice, and for any reason that is not illegal. This means your director or boss can fire you even if there are no performance issues, and they are not... View More

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answered on Jul 6, 2025

Being fired for absences related to documented heart problems raises serious concerns under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, potentially, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If your employer knew you had a medical condition and received doctor’s notes, they had a duty to... View More

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answered on Jul 5, 2025

You have a binding written severance agreement that stands apart from the WARN notice, so the cancellation of that notice does not erase your entitlement to the severance pay described in your written offer.

You must carefully review the severance document to confirm that you satisfied any... View More

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answered on Jul 5, 2025

What your boss is threatening to do sounds both unfair and potentially unlawful. As a salaried employee working under an offer letter that mentions paid time off—but includes no clear limit—you had every reason to rely on the understanding that the PTO offered was flexible or unlimited. If your... View More

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answered on Jun 12, 2025

What you and your husband went through is heartbreaking—especially after investing years of hard work, trust, and even uprooting your lives for what seemed like a secure future. It’s incredibly painful to be promised growth, recognition, and stability only to be blindsided without warning.... View More

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answered on Jun 7, 2025

No, in Iowa, your employer cannot legally deduct the cost of company logo uniforms from your paycheck. According to Iowa law, if a uniform identifies the business through a logo or specific company colors, the employer is prohibited from deducting its cost from an employee’s wages.

Even... View More

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answered on May 28, 2025

I understand that you're going through a challenging situation with your employer regarding the request for proof of your father's death. Here’s a breakdown of how you could proceed:

Employer’s Right to Request Documentation: Employers often request documentation to... View More

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answered on May 15, 2025

Your employer generally should not deduct break time from your paycheck if you're unable to actually take those breaks. According to labor laws, breaks that are automatically deducted must genuinely be taken by employees without performing any work-related duties.

If you're... View More