You're fired... For being too pretty

[NumTumDeDum]

Reading Saturday i, page 2

"A US court has ruled that a dentist acted legally when he fired an assistant because he found her too attractive and was worried he would try to start an affair. The Iowa Supreme Court yesterday said such firings are not discrimination because they are motivated by feelings, not gender."

Would he have felt the same way about a man and fired him for the same reason? No, because he is heterosexual so it is clearly linked to her gender and discriminatory.

Secondly, he assumes she would be willing to have an affair. The arrogance of that assumption is breathtaking. I expect all people to control their urges. The fact that he claims he cannot control his urges is not justification for firing an employee, who (one assumes as I have no other information) is blameless.

I am quite astounded at this decision. I'm not familiar with the law on equality and discrimination in the State of Iowa but this seems to suggest it could do with some work.

Good grief! That's almost funny it's so shocking! I agree that it's unbelievably arrogant that he assumes the other party would be willing to have an affair with him.

I wonder actually if she knocked him back and that's the real reason for firing her. I assume that he would have been involved in the hiring process. Why not just not hire her in the first place?

Very odd and I wonder if religious beliefs bore an influence.

I wondered that Binarysolo. I hope she has an avenue of appeal and takes it.

I think this will be picked apart at appeal. It's idiotic.

She worked for him for ten years then he started sending her suggestive text messages which he ignored. Which his his wife found and demanded he fire her.

Apparently she's been allowed to appeal but it perfectly legal to fire someone for being a threat to your marriage in Iowa.

There were religious leaders involved in the process the hygienist had her pastor with her when she was fired & the dentist is described as religious (whatever that means).

here

Sorry which she ignored

didn't the wife and dentist get counciled by a religious leader to fire the woman and end the temptation? this story was in the news about a year ago first time iirc?

how do you think the woman he replaced her with feels? it's an all female office but the other woman are apparently unattractive enough to keep their jobs and avoid sexual harassment. the fact that he was sending her unwanted sexual texts means he was harrasing her surely and she should be owed damages. I wonder if she can take it to the supreme court

This is unbelievable! What is going on in the US at the moment, so many bizarre things going on there?! Are they just really backward, or really misogynistic or what? How can they be the most powerful nation on Earth?

Yes, we're all backward and misogynistic, and don't forget thick.

Of course not all Americans are like that! But there is a powerful and nasty undercurrent from right-wing religious types which has a disproportionate effect on policy. In the UK, we are seeing the unpleasant effects of a de facto Tory government, with all the benefit-bashing and anti-immigrant hysteria.

"This is unbelievable! What is going on in the US at the moment"

Obviously not a lot if you have to go back a year to find a story like this.

The case was reheard children so brought back in to media attention. They got it wrong again though

I find it interesting that in any other country when the government is clearly working against the people's wishes people have sympathy for the citizens. But so often (although only once on this thread maybe because it's FWR) people blame Americans for the tiny minority making their lives miserable.

Sorry, of course I know not all Americans are thick, and I do feel very sorry for the citizens. I think the shock and anger is because it is the law makers who are displaying such frustrating backward attitudes. It's more than backward, it's so illogical. It does seem more shocking when these attitudes and laws are found in such a wealthy, developed country where education is available to all. I'm trying to express bewilderment, shock, surprise.......but I'm probably not expressing it very well and don't mean to offend anyone.

Thanks Rosa, it's been a kick in the teeth to many American women what has been happening in various states lately. State governments all work differential etc so it's hard to explain to people in other countries how we sometimes have no fucking choice over what's going on. People tend to vote for who they always voted for.. it used to be OK for people to vote republican, republicans wern't always anti sex ed and contraception and choice... they used to be quite happy keeping poor people from breeding

As for this case, I wonder if this could go to the supreme court? I'm sure she'd be given a different answer there.

It's all an outrageous business, but what is the solution if the employer's wife says, "I see you making eyes at that assistant of yours--either she goes or I go"? Obviously he shouldn't have let himself be attracted, but once it's happened, there doesn't seem to be any good outcome.

Also from an American source:
Ever hear about the farmer who married a pretty young wife and couldn't keep his hands off her? Had to fire both of 'em.

took me a minute

Bloody hell
Do you think there would be case of all of his female patients either leaving his practice or taking him to court on the bassi that as he cannot control himself then he is a danger to the public kind if thing?
Can't have it both ways sor he can't control himself around 'attractive' females so danger to the public

Yes but TeiTetua, it was his problem which he then made her problem. His marriage is his business.

good employees are hard to find... jealous spouses are a dime a dozen