More signs this week that the federal government is ramping up enforcement of employment laws. The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division is seeking a $22 million budget increase for 2010, and is seeking to hire 50 new attorneys. Law Memo Employment Law Blog reports that the 
EEOC has been very active recently in filing lawsuits. The Agency filed 32
How to Avoid Liability for Discrimination
A recent decision from the Eighth Circuit provides good training material about what "not to do" if you want to your company to avoid being liable for discrimination, and possibly punitive damages.
The EEOC filed suit against Siouxland Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, a medical clinic in Sioux Falls South Dakota. The complaint alleged that Siouxland terminated
Weekly Web Roundup
This week we are trying out a new feature on our Blog. A weekly round-up of important, interesting, practical, or funny employment law information and news posted in blogs or otherwise on the world wide web during the past week. Please contact us with any information or feedback. Here we go for the first edition:
Update: Religious Discrimination
Two recent cases out of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (which includes Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, and North and South Dakota) serve as important reminders that employers should be alert to potential claims of religious discrimination and religion based harassment occurring in their work places:
- On July 31, the EEOC
Good News on the ADA–One More Court Rules the Amendments Are Not Retroactive
Earlier this year, we identified the Amendments to the ADA–known as the "ADAAA" –as one of the 
top human resources challenges of 2009. The amendments became effective January 1, 2009. One of the most significant changes in the new law as compared to the old ADA concerns the definition of "disability". One of Congress intentions in the ADAAA was
Employers Should Be Aware of H1N1 and its Impact on the Workplace
As of a couple of day ago, there were 43 reported cases of swine flu–what is now being called "H1N1"–in Iowa.
Given the continued spread of this virus, employers would be wise to develop plans to deal with H1N1 issues that could affect their employees and their workplace. The Des Moines Register published an article
EEOC Publishes Guidelines to Avoid Discrimination Against Caregivers
Employers should take note of a recent EEOC publication entitled "Employer Best Practices for Workers with Caregiving Responsibilities", available on the EEOC website, or by clicking here. 
Although an employee’s status as a caregiver is not protected under any federal or Iowa law, the EEOC nonetheless takes the position that discrimination against such employees can