Getting Clear on Compiling Random Drug Testing Pools in Iowa

by Kathryn J. Russo of Jackson Lewis P.C. - The National Law Review

The Iowa Supreme Court recently clarified that a compliant random drug testing program under Iowa law requires excluding those who are not scheduled to work the day of the testing from the pool of employees who could be selected. Hampe v. Charles Gabus Motors Inc. d/b/a Toyota of Des Moines et ano., No. 22-1599 (Iowa Sup. Ct. Apr. 11, 2025).

Read more: https://natlawreview.com/article/getting-clear-compiling-random-drug-testing-pools-iowa

State Supreme Court Partially Upholds Waterloo's 'Ban The Box' Ordinance

by Kate Payne - Iowa Public Radio

The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld parts of a Waterloo “ban the box” ordinance preventing businesses from asking about prospective employees’ criminal histories on job applications. The court struck down other parts of the measure, which is meant to boost employment and reduce recidivism.

Read more: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2021-06-18/state-supreme-court-partially-upholds-waterloos-ban-the-box-ordinance

Iowa Supreme Court Urged to Strike Down ‘Ban the Box’ Ordinance

by Rox Laird - Courthouse News Service

DES MOINES, Iowa (CN) — An Iowa city’s ordinance that initially bars employers from checking job applicants’ criminal records should be struck down because it conflicts with state and federal law, an Iowa business group told the state’s high court Wednesday.

The Waterloo City Council passed the ordinance in 2019 inspired by the “ban the box” movement that protects job applicants from being denied jobs based on their criminal records, which most directly impacts members of minority groups. Waterloo has the highest percentage of African Americans of any city in Iowa, and Blacks make up 40% to 60% of inmates at the Black Hawk County Jail at any given time.

Read more: https://www.courthousenews.com/iowa-supreme-court-urged-to-strike-down-ban-the-box-ordinance/