Employee Privacy: Iowa

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

Authors: Stuart R. Buttrick, Taylor L. Haran and Tareen Zafrullah, 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.