Iowa labor laws are in place to protect Iowans. The state expects employers to know the Iowa work laws that apply to their business. Ignorance of Iowa labor law is not a viable defense, so avoid legal issues by knowing which Iowa labor laws apply to your employees.
Iowa employment law requires you meet certain standards such as minimum wages paid, adhering to appropriate child labor laws and ensuring under age employees have an appropriate work permit. In addition to the basics, Iowa work laws also have rules in place to govern non-English speaking employees as well as standards for safety in the work place. Investigate the Iowa labor law that applies to your business, so you can:
1. Meet minimum wages according to state labor laws in Iowa.
2. Adhere to child labor laws and laws governing work permits.
3. Utilize the expertise of Iowa labor law lawyers.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Set appropriate wages to comply with Iowa work laws
Setting appropriate wages will help you locate and keep the best employees on your payroll. The starting point for wages is often determined by the minimum wage laws. Iowa labor law does set a minimum wage for every employee regardless of the experience or age of the employee. You can always choose to pay more than the minimum wage, but you must adhere to at least the minimum wage.
I recommend: Iowa Workforce Development offers employees the ability to review and understand Iowa employment laws with regard to minimum wage as well as the opportunity to download the newest minimum wage posters to be displayed in your place of business. Download a history of Iowa's minimum wage, plus updates on its economic benefits, from the
Iowa Policy Project.
Get appropriate work permits according to the Iowa labor law
Iowa labor laws mandate that anyone aged 14 or 15 who wishes to work must have a work permit and must only work the positions and hours regulated by the child labor laws in place. The total number of hours worked each week is regulated, as are the specific hours worked each day to ensure that children are not abused or are working in dangerous and unhealthy situations.
I recommend: Iowa Workforce development has a comprehensive guide to help you understand how labor law Iowa applies to teen workers. The
University of Iowa also has gathered the pertinent information you need to safely and legally employ Iowa's youth.
Talk to lawyers who specialize in Iowa labor law
There may be times when you need to talk to an attorney who is well versed in Iowa labor and employment laws. Search for law offices who have built a practice dedicated to the ever changing landscape of employment law in IA or look for firms who have attorneys in the practice who specialize in labor laws in Iowa.
I recommend: Whitfield & Eddy P.L.C. is a law office dedicated to helping businesses better understand Iowa labor and employment laws.
Wasker, Dorr, Wimmer & Marcouiller, P.C. is not as labor-focused in their practice, but they do have staff attorneys who specialize in labor law, Iowa.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Remember to research Iowa labor laws with regard to worker's compensation for employees who suffer injury while performing their job duties.
The official source of Iowa Labor and Employment Law is
the Iowa Labor and Employment Law page at Business.com
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