Employee Privacy: Iowa

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Authors: Stuart R. Buttrick and Taylor L. Haran, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Summary

• Iowa recognizes invasion of privacy claims. See Common Law Causes of Action.
• Employees may also bring defamation, intentional interference with contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims against an employer. See Other Common Law Theories For Employer Liability.
• Iowa has several statues regulating privacy rights, including the Interception of Electronic Communications law. See Wiretapping and Eavesdropping.
• Employers that provide references may be subject to civil liability under various Iowa statutes and common law causes of action; however, Iowa law does provide some protections for employers. See References.
• Employees have a right to inspect their personnel files. See Personnel Files.
• Iowa law regulates genetic testing, drug testing, HIV/AIDS testing. See Genetic Testing; Drug Testing and AIDS/HIV Testing.
• Iowa law addressees polygraph testing. See Polygraph Testing.
• Iowa law gives covered consumers privacy rights with respect to their personal data and establishes certain requirements and limitations for covered businesses that control or process personal data. See Consumer Data Privacy.