The United States of Slavery

Today I was researching Iowa employment laws for hourly employees. You see, I was lucky enough to find a job with benefits about a week ago. I work at a child care center in Cedar Rapids and feel like I really belong there, but alas, the only positions open right now are hourly entry-level jobs. I'm actually taking a step down from the job that I had in college, but I figure if I stick it out long enough then it has the potential to be a good career.

Since this is the first time I've actually been employed full-time (because of my freelancing career), I'm not really acquainted with employee rights. So I went to the Iowa Workforce Development website to do some reading. Want to know some of the interesting things that I learned?

1) Iowa has no laws mandating breaks for adults. An employer does not have to pay you for a break during which you are completely relieved of your job duties. Your employer can require you to stay on the business premises during your break.

2) An employer is allowed to require you to work 24 hours in one day.

3) Iowa employers are not required to give employees pay raises.

4) If you are an “employee at will,” an employer may change your days and hours of work whenever they want. They may also change your place of work or job description. No advance notice is required.

5) Iowa wage law and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act do not require that an employer pay hourly non-exempt employees for jury service.

Wow. I'm assuming this is why we have unions, that shit is harsh.