Iowa top court: Firing of attractive aide is legal

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Iowa top court: Firing of attractive aide is legal

AP foreign, Friday July 12 2013

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Supreme Court is standing by its earlier ruling that a dentist acted legally when he fired an assistant because he found her too attractive and worried he would try to start an affair.

The court ruled Friday that bosses can fire employees they see as a threat to their marriages, even if the subordinates have not engaged in flirtatious behavior. The court says such firings are not unlawful sex discrimination because they are motivated by feelings, not gender.

It's the same outcome the court reached in December, when justices dismissed a lawsuit by Melissa Nelson against Fort Dodge dentist James Knight. After a barrage of criticism for the ruling, Nelson's attorney asked for reconsideration and the all-male court took the rare step of withdrawing the opinion.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/10880978

[unblock]

1. "motivated by feelings, not gender"? loophole/truck alert!

why no, tom, i'm not firing you because you're black! that would be illegal! i'm firing you because i'm *uncomfortable* around black people! see the difference? also, no severance. buh-bye!

oh, and jack, i'm firing you as well, and no, it's NOT because you don't believe in the same god as i do! it's just that how can i trust you if you don't? see it's all based on a lack of trust, not your religion. but don't worry, i'll pray for you!