Boss afraid he can't keep it in his pants fires assistant

[EVT1]

     A dentist acted legally when he fired a longtime assistant because he had grown too attracted to her and worried he would try to start an affair, the Iowa Supreme Court reaffirmed Friday in its second crack at the controversial case.


     Coming to the same outcome as it did in December, but clarifying its rationale, the court found that bosses can fire employees that they and their spouses see as threats to their marriages. The court said such firings do not count as sex discrimination because they are motivated by feelings, not gender

 

That's novel. 

New York Times

[zibazinski]

Unreal.

[mmhmm]

It's amazing, to me, something like this even came before the state's Supreme Court.  I can understand why the employee felt she had to pursue the matter, but it seems ludicrous for a personal matter to be decided at that level.  Now, we have the courts intervening on the legal ramifications of some dude who can't control his recalcitrant penis?  Oh, puhleeeze!

[busymom]

He'd better hire a man to be his assistant next time.  Unless, of course, he's attracted to guys too. 

[Deleted]

Seriously disturbing to me that this was legal to do.

[mmhmm]

Apparently, the "good doctor" was being hounded by his wife.  Seems to me, as adults, the two could have dealt with this privately instead of making a public spectacle of everyone involved.  The wife, in this case, is going to have this mess to contend with for as long as she's married to a man who can't deal with his own issues.  It isn't going to magically go away. The "good doctor" is going to spend a lot of his time paying for his wife's embarrassment (in both money and misery, I imagine).  The fired employee will find work elsewhere, I'm sure.  The Supreme Court judges will just look like fools for awhile until something else stupid comes up.

[busymom]

I think it's crazy this is legal too.  What about the dentist exercising some self-control?


We'll probably see this case go all the way to the US Supreme Court...

[Deleted]

Just one more example of a woman being blamed and punished for a man's lack of self control.

[Deleted]

Can you imagine being in a job interview? So why did you leave your last job? Uh...you're not going to believe this but...

[Tennesseer]

Jul 13, 2013 10:53:38 GMT -5 imanangel said:

Just one more example of a woman being blamed and punished for a man's lack of self control.

And a wife's distrust of her husband's lack of self-control.

[ZaireinHD]

oh my
I for one was very glad stories such as this is coming out more often. I just this past maybe two months ago found out or figured out that it's how women dress in the corporate office is seductive. I mean sure wear a suit to work, with a jacket. But why is her top 4 or 5 buttons unbuttoned, showing her cleavage? I can understand that there really is no or not many choices that her clothes hug her curves like they are painted on, but still think it's a bit inappropriate for working.

[zibazinski]

Did you see his wife? Maybe she should take a bit more care with her appearance. You can be overweight and still not a slob. I know a fair amount of overweight women and they still dress nicely and do nice things to their hair and face. They don't hate others like this wife does.

[Spellbound454]

This is a completely ridiculous decision.....and certainly "unfair dismissal"

The assistant has done nothing wrong with regards to her job
If the dentist can't cope with an attractive woman...that's his problem.

[zibazinski]

[billisonboard]

Jul 14, 2013 7:39:17 GMT -5 Spellbound454 said:

...
If the dentist can't cope with an attractive woman...that's his problem.

And he solved it.

[Deleted]

Jul 14, 2013 7:39:17 GMT -5 Spellbound454 said:

This is a completely ridiculous decision.....and certainly "unfair dismissal"

The assistant has done nothing wrong with regards to her job
If the dentist can't cope with an attractive woman...that's his problem.

Sorry but I disagree. Well I agree the assistant has done nothing wrong, but I think the dentist is within his rights. If he can find someone just as qualified that he isn't lusting after all the time why not. He is the one employing them. He should have the right to hire who he wants. I'm really amazed he gave that reason for letting her go, but it is better than making up a reason that makes it difficult for her to find another job.

[Spellbound454]

Are you kidding?

In some countries its a woman's fault if she gets raped because its deemed a man can't help himself.
So much so... that she has to dress head to foot in a garment with just a little peep hole for the eyes.

You are in the USA, not some third world prehistoric back-water.

She doesn't look that attractive to me but are we saying that only ugly people can be dental assistants?... because that would be discriminatory.

Don't know if you have "unfair dismissal" legislation in the US...but most places do.
and she would be looking at a hefty pay out from her employer.

Its his problem....not hers..... and she could sue for ;- gross misconduct, sexual misconduct and unfair dismissal... for starters.

[billisonboard]

Jul 14, 2013 9:02:45 GMT -5 Spellbound454 said:

...

Its his problem....not hers..... and she could sue for ;- gross misconduct, sexual misconduct and unfair dismissal... for starters.

What misconduct did he engage in? Seems to me that it was an attempt to not engage in misconduct that has lead to this situation. And the fact that it was in court clearly indicates that she did sue.

[Tennesseer]

'Allegedly', the dentist's patients were getting tired of being poked in the arms by the dentist's erection while getting their teeth drilled.

[Spellbound454]

What misconduct did he engage in?

Sent her a text asking how many times she orgasmed....she didn't reply.

Not exactly a normal discussion point between colleagues in a professional setting.

[billisonboard]

Jul 14, 2013 9:15:57 GMT -5 Spellbound454 said:

What misconduct did he engage in?

Sent her a text asking how many times she orgasmed....she didn't reply.

Not exactly a normal discussion point between colleagues in a professional setting.

Okay. Didn't realize the content of the text message. The OP said there were text messages between the two. Do you have a link that gives more than just the one you cite to which you say she didn't reply?

[Spellbound454]

Sure
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/iowa-top-court-firing-attractive-aide-legal-19648210#.UeK5hVtwaUk

[billisonboard]

Thanks

[zibazinski]

Tenneessser. 

[Peace Of Mind]

Jul 14, 2013 9:10:04 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

'Allegedly', the dentist's patients were getting tired of being poked in the arms by the dentist's erection while getting their teeth drilled.

LMAO!!  Then they should have sued for sexual harassment! 

But the outcome of this situation just blows my mind.  No matter how insane the world is I still get surprised. 

[djAdvocate]

a poster on another board suggested she sue him for sexual harassment.  he admitted to as much in court.  i think she should.

[zibazinski]

If she does, it's doubtful she will win, given the ruling already handed down.     Also, I'm assuming she has another job already but a suit like this one can make you unemployable. I'm sure she has already suffered worse consequences than being fired by this jerk.

[djAdvocate]

Jul 15, 2013 6:26:58 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

If she does, it's doubtful she will win, given the ruling already handed down.     Also, I'm assuming she has another job already but a suit like this one can make you unemployable. I'm sure she has already suffered worse consequences than being fired by this jerk.

i find it oddly......antiquated?.......that a woman can be hired or fired based on appearance.  but i know it is true.  i see it everywhere.

saddening.

[Deleted]

Jul 15, 2013 10:41:09 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Jul 15, 2013 6:26:58 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

If she does, it's doubtful she will win, given the ruling already handed down.     Also, I'm assuming she has another job already but a suit like this one can make you unemployable. I'm sure she has already suffered worse consequences than being fired by this jerk.

i find it oddly......antiquated?.......that a woman can be hired or fired based on appearance.  but i know it is true.  i see it everywhere.

saddening.

I don't think this is about looks. She's a nice looking woman but I'm sure she isn't the only good looking woman working for him. Some people just have an affect on you. Sure you need to not find them physically repulsive but it usually has more to do with pheromones or something. He isn't firing any of the rest of his all female staff. As a private employer I'd say he has the right to do this. If he worked for the public sector or a big corporation I might see it differently. It's really not much different than letting someone go because he really disliked them. I think it is way better to do that than to keep them emplyed then harrass or abuse them.

[Tennesseer]

The dentist needs to hire a dental assistant with bad teeth. Oh wait......she might not be a very good endorsement for his practice.