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Browse our 3 legal questions about Employment & Labor in United States and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
Employment and Labor law in the United States, including Ames, governs the rights and duties between employers and workers. These laws are primarily designed to keep workers safe and ensure they are treated fairly, although they also protect employers' interests. The standards are set by statutory laws, administrative regulations and judicial decisions. Issues relating to discrimination, harassment, wages and hours, employee benefits, wrongful termination, and employee rights fall under this category.
Legal assistance in employment and labor law is often necessary in situations such as filing a lawsuit against your employer for wrongful termination, negotiating for a severance package or in cases of workplace discrimination or harassment. Furthermore, if you are an employer, you may need legal counsel to ensure you are in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, or in cases where an employee has filed a complaint or lawsuit against your company.
In Ames, as in the rest of Iowa, employment laws are based on the Iowa Civil Rights Act and Federal labor laws. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion or disability. They also address issues such as minimum wage, overtime pay, and safety regulations. Furthermore, Iowa is an “at-will” state, meaning that an employer can terminate an employee at any time for any reason, unless a contract specifies otherwise or the firing is based on discriminatory practices.
Yes, since Iowa is an "at-will" state, an employer can fire an employee without giving a reason, unless there is an employment contract that states otherwise or the firing is discriminatory in nature.
The minimum wage in Ames, Iowa, is the same as the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour.
In most cases, yes. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), most employees are entitled to time and a half if they work over 40 hours in a week.
Every employee has the right to a safe working environment. If you are being harassed, you should report it to your supervisor, HR representative, or employer. If nothing is done or if the harassment continues, you should contact a labor and employment attorney or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
If your employer is not correctly paying your wages or overtime, you can file a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor or contact an employment attorney for advice.
The Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Division of Labor, U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Iowa Civil Rights Commission, and The United States Department of Labor are excellent resources for further information and advice regarding employment and labor laws.
If you believe you have a legitimate claim under employment and labor laws, consult with a lawyer who specializes in this field. Bring any relevant documentation to your meeting. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact the Iowa Legal Aid. Alternatively, if your rights have been violated as an employee, you can file a complaint with the appropriate local, state, or federal agency.
