Iowa Supreme Court confirms a woman can be fired for being too attractive

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Iowa Supreme Court has confirmed its ruling that a dentist did not violate the law when he fired a female assistant for being too attractive.

The all-male court issued a ruling Friday in a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by Melissa Nelson, who was fired by Fort Dodge, Iowa dentist James Knight despite being a stellar employee.

The court found that "this case simply lacked the facts to establish discrimination."

In a 32-page ruling, the court found that "Nelson made no legal or factual claim that a relationship with Dr. Knight was submissive, objectionable, or harassing in any way, and there was no evidence in the record to hint the relationship was not jointly pursued."

The ruling goes on to say that "The role of consent is important to the responsibility of employees and employers of both sexes to monitor and control their conduct in the workplace."

Justices ruled 7-0 in December that Knight didn't commit discrimination when he fired Nelson, saying bosses can terminate workers that they find too irresistible because those decisions are based on feelings, not gender.

The court withdrew that opinion amid criticism and issued a new decision Friday morning again siding with Knight, explaining that the case comes down to the question of whether Nelson's termination was "a response by Dr. Knight to a personal relationship or was it his response to Nelson's status as a woman?"

http://www.kwqc.com/story/22824929/iowa-supreme-court-confirms-a-woman