IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A dentist acted legally when he fired an assistant that he found attractive simply because he and his wife viewed the woman as a threat to their marriage, the all-male Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday.
The court ruled 7-0 that bosses can fire employees they see as an "irresistible attraction," even if the employees have not engaged in flirtatious behavior or otherwise done anything wrong. Such firings may be unfair, but they are not unlawful discrimination under the Iowa Civil Rights Act because they are motivated by feelings and emotions, not gender, Justice Edward Mansfield wrote.
...
But Nelson's attorney said Iowa's all-male high court, one of only a handful in the nation, failed to recognize the discrimination that women see routinely in the workplace.
"These judges sent a message to Iowa women that they don't think men can be held responsible for their sexual desires and that Iowa women are the ones who have to monitor and control their bosses' sexual desires," said attorney Paige Fiedler. "If they get out of hand, then the women can be legally fired for it."
Nelson, 32, worked for Knight for 10 years, and he considered her a stellar worker. But in the final months of her employment, he complained that her tight clothing was distracting, once telling her that if his pants were bulging that was a sign her clothes were too revealing, according to the opinion.
He also once allegedly remarked about her infrequent sex life by saying, "that's like having a Lamborghini in the garage and never driving it."
Knight and Nelson - both married with children - started exchanging text messages, mostly about personal matters, such as their families. Knight's wife, who also worked in the dental office, found out about the messages and demanded Nelson be fired. The Knights consulted with their pastor, who agreed that terminating Nelson was appropriate.
Knight fired Nelson and gave her one month's severance. He later told Nelson's husband that he worried he was getting too personally attached and feared he would eventually try to start an affair with her.
Nelson was stunned because she viewed the 53-year-old Knight as a father figure and had never been interested in starting a relationship, Fiedler said.
...
Knight is a very religious and moral individual, and he sincerely believed that firing Nelson would be best for all parties, he said.
"While there was really no fault on the part of Mrs. Nelson, it was just as clear the decision to terminate her was not related to the fact that she was a woman," he said. "The motives behind Dr. Knight terminating Mrs. Nelson were quite clear: He did so to preserve his marriage.
"I don't view this as a decision that was either pro-women or opposed to women rights at all. In my view, this was a decision that followed the appropriate case law."
SIGH. So she was a threat to his marriage, despite her not being remotely interested in him, let alone willing to begin an affair. I cannot believe this was deemed a legitimate reason for firing a good employee. Why not just impose a dress code if her "tight clothing" is causing you pants bulges?
Raven, you and I both know that, as women, we find ALL men irresistibly attractive, and it's only their incredible self control that stops the world from being a 24/7 bonefest.
And this man was losing his self control, what was he to do?!
Ugh.
Unless they're nice men.
The nice men are loaded into a wagon and shipped to the friend zone.
I read about it on tumblr.
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ThomamelasOnly one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered Userregular
If someone feels they can't control themselves why should that be anyone else's problem
I hope someone kicks that dude in the fucking teeth
"I'm sorry for feeding this man his own face, Your Honor
I just couldn't control myself"
We the jury find that while the defendant clearly assaulted the victim, we do note that the victim has a very punchable face and we plan on taking turns hitting it ourselves.
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AManFromEarthLet's get to twerk!The King in the SwampRegistered Userregular
I had just enough for laundry. Can't fucking find it.
You are in the worst place. I say this as a dude dealing with a break-up.
that shit sucks.
This is literally worse than the Holocaust.
So fucking frustrating.
I've even got, like, $100 in cash in my wallet, and, like, probably $40-$50 worth of change on my desk; just no fucking quarters. Motherfucker.
Thanatos on
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JacobkoshGamble a stamp.I can show you how to be a real man!Moderatormod
I hate when I'm out with my friends and start spacing out because I've been up and running around all day.
+1
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JeanHeartbroken papa bearGatineau, QuébecRegistered Userregular
Reading my old threads fill me up with shame. Too bad I can't plausibly deny it was me.
IT IS ME! I just find ''me '' from a few years ago to be so damn stupid.
"You won't destroy us, You won't destroy our democracy. We are a small but proud nation. No one can bomb us to silence. No one can scare us from being Norway. This evening and tonight, we'll take care of each other. That's what we do best when attacked'' - Jens Stoltenberg
Back from a good time with friends. First was dinner and some frambozen. Then Chai for dessert. Then we all went to Korea Town for Karaoke. It was a fucking blast. Yay for good times.
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ZampanovYou May Not Go HomeUntil Tonight Has Been MagicalRegistered Userregular
I had just enough for laundry. Can't fucking find it.
There was a website someone once linked it [chat] about minor inconveniences that at the time seem really irritating. Any clues? Because this was my worst one.
Reading my old threads fill me up with shame. Too bad I can't plausibly deny it was me.
IT IS ME! I just find ''me '' from a few years ago to be so damn stupid.
I understand that feeling but it's best to just try and take it as a positive. Imagine if you read your old stuff and thought "man, I suck so much compared to that guy."
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AManFromEarthLet's get to twerk!The King in the SwampRegistered Userregular
they didn't even ask me to ship my old ones in first! they're just sending me a new pair and i guess presumably i will send in the defective pair once i get that in the mail? if they even want me to. i dunno.
point is i expected to have to pay for shipping at least one way AND i'd be getting a repair at best. i am pleasantly surprised.
Organichu on
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JacobkoshGamble a stamp.I can show you how to be a real man!Moderatormod
Posts
You are in the worst place. I say this as a dude dealing with a break-up.
that shit sucks.
"I'm sorry for feeding this man his own face, Your Honor
I just couldn't control myself"
I was making everyone else jealous
The chances of being fired cause I'm too hot to deal with is shrinking with each passing moment.
Gotta stop wearing shirts, live each day like its my last (not just today).
Get back in the chronochamber. The world is just not ready for you yet.
Ooh
Oh boy
I ain't heard this one before
I'm keeping this
The nice men are loaded into a wagon and shipped to the friend zone.
I read about it on tumblr.
We the jury find that while the defendant clearly assaulted the victim, we do note that the victim has a very punchable face and we plan on taking turns hitting it ourselves.
Buck up, Chuck.
Platitudes.
I thought Thor killing that sun eating wolf was the highlight
Thanks, Chu.
You're still a butt-raving goose nugget.
Would it help if I posted a miscarriage comic from cad.
So fucking frustrating.
I've even got, like, $100 in cash in my wallet, and, like, probably $40-$50 worth of change on my desk; just no fucking quarters. Motherfucker.
IT IS ME! I just find ''me '' from a few years ago to be so damn stupid.
PSN/XBL: Zampanov -- Steam: Zampanov
I can't stand seeing her because every time I look at her I can feel that I remind her of my Dad and he ain't been dead more than two years.
and then when i leave early everyone will be like.
"did you see that due. he didn't even stay long! what a jerk!"
Not dating a geek sucks.
Could you be referring to a Sneaky Hate Spiral?
I'm not Ludious so that's the best I am willing to find.
a butt-raving goose nugget w/ feelings
I understand that feeling but it's best to just try and take it as a positive. Imagine if you read your old stuff and thought "man, I suck so much compared to that guy."
Fairly sure it's an edit.
Good times, but I am so tired
Shit
Only a cynic would call what you have "feelings".
@tav
@donkey kong
@variable
they didn't even ask me to ship my old ones in first! they're just sending me a new pair and i guess presumably i will send in the defective pair once i get that in the mail? if they even want me to. i dunno.
point is i expected to have to pay for shipping at least one way AND i'd be getting a repair at best. i am pleasantly surprised.
I'm glad you were able to make it, dude
Agreed. But not enough to click "agree"