Iowa State Supreme Court: You can be Fired for being too "irresistible."

[aGameOfThrones]

After working as a dental assistant for ten years, Melissa Nelson was fired for being too "irresistible" and a "threat" to her employer's marriage.

"I think it is completely wrong," Nelson said. "I think it is sending a message that men can do whatever they want in the work force."

On Friday, the all-male Iowa State Supreme Court ruled that James Knight, Nelson's boss, was within his legal rights when he fired her, affirming the decision of a lower court.

"We do think the Iowa Supreme Court got it completely right," said Stuart Cochrane, an attorney for James Knight. "Our position has always been Mrs. Nelson was never terminated because of her gender, she was terminated because of concerns her behavior was not appropriate in the workplace. She's an attractive lady. Dr. Knight found her behavior and dress to be inappropriate."

The two never had a sexual relationship or sought one, according to court documents, however in the final year and a half of Nelson's employment, Knight began to make comments about her clothing being too tight or distracting.

"Dr. Knight acknowledges he once told Nelson that if she saw his pants bulging, she would know her clothing was too revealing," the justices wrote.

Six months before Nelson was fired, she and her boss began exchanging text messages about work and personal matters, such as updates about each of their children's activities, the justices wrote.

The messages were mostly mundane, but Nelson recalled one text she received from her boss asking "how often she experienced an orgasm."

Nelson did not respond to the text and never indicated that she was uncomfortable with Knight's question, according to court documents.

Soon after, Knight's wife, Jeanne, who also works at the practice, found out about the text messaging and ordered her husband to fire Nelson.

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blog...evastated-151724600--abc-news-topstories.html

 

[specsaregood]

Good ruling.

 

[Acala]

Too bad. Nobody has a right to a job.

 

[belian78]

Wow! I have so many things I could say about this, that in reality, I don't know what to say. Technically yes, if the lecherous old codger can't be around a female without wanting to mate with her and it distracts him that much, yes he should be able to fire her. But my god, if you can't help yourself but be turned on by the mere sight of a woman in less than a burka, you need drastic help.

 

[tangent4ronpaul]

Nah - it's the females fault. We need a national law that requires all women, past puberty to wear burkas. /s

Come to think about it, that could save the economy! Guys could start saving again without that huge wardrobe and jewelry bill. And the shoes, lets not forget the cost of all those shoes!

-t

 

[belian78]

Looks like someone already got the jump on us in that dept...

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/swaziland-bans-rapeprovoking-miniskirts-lowrise-jeans/1049615/

 

[aGameOfThrones]

Looks like someone already got the jump on us in that dept...

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/swaziland-bans-rapeprovoking-miniskirts-lowrise-jeans/1049615/

"The act of the rapist is made easy, because it would be easy to remove the half-cloth worn by the women," police spokeswoman Wendy Hleta was quoted as saying

Hleta said women wearing revealing clothing were responsible for assaults or rapes committed against them.

"I have read from the social networks that men and even other women have a tendency of 'undressing people with their eyes'. That becomes easier when the clothes are hugging or are more revealing," Hleta said.

 

[specsaregood]

But my god, if you can't help yourself but be turned on by the mere sight of a woman in less than a burka, you need drastic help.

Really? Aren't there entire industries based around the fact that men get turned on by looking at pretty women?
And to be fair, he wasn't just "merely seeing" her; he worked close with her for years, knew each other. If she is physically attractive as well as personable it only makes sense that resisting these natural urges could become distracting.

 

[TomtheTinker]

^^^^^

 

[acptulsa]

She won't have any trouble finding another job. Just another two-edged sword. It's hard to legislate those away. Such is life.

 

[fisharmor]

He worked with her 10 years before it was a problem.
The smart bet is that the wife stopped putting out.

Most men don't ask much. Twice a week is all it takes to keep most men faithful. And hummers aren't just for special occasions.
As long as you're not a completely intolerable harpy, it literally is that simple.

 

[QuickZ06]

Good ruling but dang this guy needs to dig a bit deeper in his faith and be able to "control his thoughts and feelings" and resists the urge to do what ever he thought he was going to do like a grown man.

Also have to give the lady credit for not wanting to press sexual harassment charges as many women would take some of the comments the guy said very offensively. But the boss did say she was dressing inappropriately and it looks like he did give her warnings, but in the end the boss has the say.

 

[Keith and stuff]

The guy sounds like a dick. On the other hand, the woman, her lawyer and the ABC legal expect all seem like they have major issues with males. They all seem to think men are inferior.

I've worked at will before. At 1 point my job was not renewed. This happened for more than 1 job. I never sued. I took it like an adult. Clearly, many people involved in this story still act like little children.

 

[James Madison]

Well, at least we know who wears the pants in that relationship.

Chick isn't even attractive.

 

[AGRP]

Good. His business is his business. With 10 years worth of experience, im sure it was a tough decision.

 

[loveableteddybear]

I own a business, and I have the right to fire whomever I want for whatever reason on my property. Good or bad reason.

This is why Rand was right on the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Government has no right to intrude on private businesses making business decisions. I personally would never hire a good looking woman for my repair shop. It'd be a distraction to everyone and no one can make me hire her.

 

[Danke]

Well, at least we know who wears the pants in that relationship.

Ya, it was his wife that works there too that wanted him to fire her.

 

[KrokHead]

If anyone here was fired over a horseshit reason like that any of you would forget your ideals and see right through that bullshit. That chick should sue husband and wife so bad it hurts. A job is someone's life, their livelihood. Also, if you want to fire someone find all of the job related things they are actually doing wrong, and fire someone for that. Fire someone the smart way. If she was proficient at her job she had no business being fired. Heck, if you froze her pay and cut her hours she would just quit anyway.

My guess is that there was retaliation against the goomar, and it legally held up somehow. That man is a real fuckin' asshole.

 

[misean]

Obviously the right ruling. Makes me slightly more optimistic for Rand's chances in Iowa in 2016. At least some people still believe in private ownership.

 

[Confederate]

I got fired from my last job for the same reason.