• Knowledge of employee rights empowers workers.together image by dethchimo from Fotolia.com
  
  Without knowing your rights as an employee in Iowa, you may be a target for exploitation. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) is an employee rights educator and advocate, helping workers in Iowa as well as businesses protect themselves from unjust acts in the workplace.
  
  

Disability

• Disability is not a justification for dismissal from employment in Iowa, whether temporary or permanent in nature. According to the ICRC, a disability significantly limits a major life activity, such as walking or learning. If you become disabled while employed, the employer must make accommodations for your disability, unless doing so would constitute "undue hardship" for the company. Pregnancy is considered a temporary disability.
  
  

Harassment

• Iowa employees have a legal right to a workplace with an anti-harassment policy in place. This policy prevents a hostile work environment by promoting equal respect for all employees. Even if not directly a victim of harassment, an employee's rights may be violated if harassment towards another employee or employees makes the work environment psychologically unhealthy. However, this environment must constitute true harassment or discrimination, and not merely a matter of personality conflict.
  
  

Wages

• As of Jan. 1, 2008, qualifying Iowa employers must provide their employees with a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, according to Iowa state statute 91D. However, if an employee makes more than $30 in tips per month, the employer may pay as little as $4.35 per hour, according to the Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). If during any week an employee receives less than $7.25 after combining wages and tips, the employer must pay the difference.
  
  

Breaks

• Outside of specific labor union contracts, adult Iowa employees do not have legal rights to paid breaks when entirely relieved from job duties. Minors aged 16 and younger must receive a 30-minute break if employed for more than five hours in one day. All employees have free access to necessary bathroom breaks.
  
  

Payment

• When either terminated or having quit employment, the employee must be paid on the next scheduled payday. If an employee believes that he hasn't been paid all that is owed him, he may contact the Iowa Division of Labor and file a wage claim.
  
  

Drug/Alcohol Testing

• If undergoing drug testing with an employer, an employee may legally refuse testing but most likely will lose his job. If testing positive for drugs or alcohol, an employee is entitled to a retest within seven days. If having worked for the company at least one year and the company employs at least 50 people, the employer must provide the employee who fails a drug test with rehabilitation services if it is the employee's first offense.