Your trusted source for Iowa business and franchise law insights.
Your trusted source for Iowa business and franchise law insights.
Employer Personnel Files in Iowa
Employers should maintain a separate personnel file for each employee. An employer should also maintain a medical file which is separate from the personnel file. Both sets of files should be secured or locked. Access to those records should be restricted to a need-to-know basis and designated individuals should be…
Conduct Free Background Checks Using Iowa Courts Online Web Site
You can conduct a free background check of prospective employees by accessing the Iowa Courts Online Web Site. You should still have all prospective employees sign a release and authorization allowing you to conduct a background search. If you are conducting background searches of your…
How to Avoid Incorrectly Treating a Worker as an Independent Contractor – Part II.
In yesterday’s blog I decribed the factors which often demonstrate a worker is an employee. If you answer "Yes" to the following questions you probably have an independent contractor.
1. Does the worker furnish significant tools, materials and equipment?
2. Does…
How to Avoid Incorrectly Treating a Worker as an Independent Contractor.
The penalties for incorrectly treating a worker as an independent contractor are significant. Consider these factors before deciding whether to treat a worker as a contractor.
Many business owners want to use independent contractors to complete certain tasks rather than hiring employees. There are…
Who Should Conduct an Internal Investigation of Harassment: Considerations
Business owners often wonder who should conduct internal investigations of harassment. Here are some considerations:
Internal Investigators
1) Management. A direct supervisor may be less likely to be impartial. If a manager is chosen outside the direct line of supervision, that person should be of higher…
Growing Companies Face Exposure to Employee Lawsuits: Des Moines Business Record
The Des Moines Business Record recently featured business lawyer Rush Nigut of Sullivan & Ward, P.C. in an article concerning the exposure of growing companies to employee lawsuits. Click here to read the article on exposure to employee lawsuits.
Avoiding Sexual Harassment Claims in Iowa: Practical Advice
Employers have an obligation to prevent sexual and other forms of harassment in the workplace. Some ways to avoid harassment claims include the following:
…
Small Business Human Resource Audits: How to avoid employee lawsuits
Are your employment policies and practices up-to-date? Every employer is at risk for an employment-related lawsuit. Every lawsuit is potentially devastating to your business, given the high costs of defending a suit, negative publicity, employee time spent in litigation, and ripple effect of employee complaints.