Iowa Supreme court OKs firing employee for being sexually "irresistible"

**Jenna** · 12-22-12, 06:43 PM

Can a boss fire an employee he finds attractive because he and his wife, fairly or not, see her as a threat to their marriage?Yes, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday.

Nelson worked for James Knight in 1999 and stayed for more than 10 years at the Fort Dodge business.Toward the end of her employment, Knight complained to Nelson her clothing was tight and "distracting," the decision read. She denied her clothes were inappropriate.At one point, Knight told Nelson that "if she saw his pants bulging, she would know her clothing was too revealing," the decision read.At another point, in response to an alleged comment Nelson made about the infrequency of her sex life, Knight responded: [T]hat's like having a Lamborghini in the garage and never driving it."During the last six months of Nelson's employment, Nelson and Knight, both married with children, started sending text messages to each other outside of work. Neither objected to the texting.Knight's wife, who was employed at the same dental office, found out about those messages in late 2009 and demanded he fire Nelson.In early 2010, he did just that. In the presence of a pastor, Knight told Nelson she had become a "detriment" to his family and that for the sakes of both their families, they should no longer work together, the decision read. Knight gave Nelson one month's severance.

Iowa Supreme Court: OK to fire 'irresistible' worker - CNN.com