Iowa state employees must follow new sexual harassment rules after an emergency vote was held Thursday at the Statehouse in the wake of reports of alleged sexual harassment at a state agency.The sometimes-heated Administrative Rules Review Committee meeting was just announced Tuesday."We believe this is a step forward," said Janet Phipps, director of Iowa's Department of Administrative Services, which serves as the equivalent of a human resources department.Only state Rep. Rick Olson, a Democrat from Des Moines, appeared in person, while other representatives from across the state talked over the phone.The emergency meeting came in the wake of a report by a Des Moines-based law firm that was conducted after sexual harassment allegations were lodged against former Iowa Finance Authority Director Dave Jamison.The report found numerous deficiencies in the state's reporting process. NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION | ADOPTED AND FILED EMERGENCY"We need to take those recommendations seriously," Phipps said.The new rules require that the Department of Administrative Services -- not the employee's agency -- investigate claims. They also encourage witnesses to report sexual harassment, saying employees can choose to report to their supervisors, the Department of Administrative Services or the governor.Democratic state Rep. Amy Nielsen, of North Liberty, called the rules "woefully inadequate," and at times, the Thursday meeting got tense.Some committee members questioned the timing of the emergency meeting, asking why things were done so quickly."I would imagine that's one of the reasons we saw these rules today, because the election is two weeks away," Olson said.But Phipps said the timing is not political, but "because this is an important incident. There were recommendations in the Weinhardt report that I took very seriously that we wanted to feel comfortable in making complaints.""From our perspective, this entire process has seemed rushed," said Matty Smith, with the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault. He said the new rules aren't clear as to what investigations will look like. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa agreed, with director Daniel Zeno saying, "The proposed rules are a step backwards." The groups, including Iowa's League of Women Voters, called on the committee to slow down, but state officials said the report on the Iowa Finance Authority presented an imperative. Also at issue was transparency. The rules would seal investigations from the public without a court order."Whenever you have a confidential investigation, often that would be a one-sided investigation," Olson said.But Phipps argued that complaints have always been confidential, and "they will continue to be."RELATED: Report: 'Sexual comments in the workplace were the norm' for fired IFA directorComplaint describes graphic sexual harassment claims against fired state agency headFormer Statehouse whistleblower reacts to latest sexual harassment scandalDespite the back-and-forth arguments, the rules passed unanimously.Olson said he thinks "it's a step forward, albeit a baby step."Brenna Smith, a spokesperson for Gov. Kim Reynolds' office, said in a statement that the new rules "will ensure that victims of sexual harassment are comfortable stepping forward and that their complaints are appropriately addressed."
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Iowa state employees must follow new sexual harassment rules after an emergency vote was held Thursday at the Statehouse in the wake of reports of alleged sexual harassment at a state agency.
The sometimes-heated Administrative Rules Review Committee meeting was just announced Tuesday.
"We believe this is a step forward," said Janet Phipps, director of Iowa's Department of Administrative Services, which serves as the equivalent of a human resources department.
Only state Rep. Rick Olson, a Democrat from Des Moines, appeared in person, while other representatives from across the state talked over the phone.
The emergency meeting came in the wake of a report by a Des Moines-based law firm that was conducted after sexual harassment allegations were lodged against former Iowa Finance Authority Director Dave Jamison.
The report found numerous deficiencies in the state's reporting process.
NOTICE OF INTENDED ACTION | ADOPTED AND FILED EMERGENCY
"We need to take those recommendations seriously," Phipps said.
The new rules require that the Department of Administrative Services -- not the employee's agency -- investigate claims. They also encourage witnesses to report sexual harassment, saying employees can choose to report to their supervisors, the Department of Administrative Services or the governor.
Democratic state Rep. Amy Nielsen, of North Liberty, called the rules "woefully inadequate," and at times, the Thursday meeting got tense.
Some committee members questioned the timing of the emergency meeting, asking why things were done so quickly.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
"I would imagine that's one of the reasons we saw these rules today, because the election is two weeks away," Olson said.
But Phipps said the timing is not political, but "because this is an important incident. There were recommendations in the Weinhardt report that I took very seriously that we wanted to feel comfortable in making complaints."
"From our perspective, this entire process has seemed rushed," said Matty Smith, with the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault. He said the new rules aren't clear as to what investigations will look like.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa agreed, with director Daniel Zeno saying, "The proposed rules are a step backwards."
The groups, including Iowa's League of Women Voters, called on the committee to slow down, but state officials said the report on the Iowa Finance Authority presented an imperative.
Also at issue was transparency. The rules would seal investigations from the public without a court order.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
"Whenever you have a confidential investigation, often that would be a one-sided investigation," Olson said.
But Phipps argued that complaints have always been confidential, and "they will continue to be."
RELATED:
Despite the back-and-forth arguments, the rules passed unanimously.
Olson said he thinks "it's a step forward, albeit a baby step."
Brenna Smith, a spokesperson for Gov. Kim Reynolds' office, said in a statement that the new rules "will ensure that victims of sexual harassment are comfortable stepping forward and that their complaints are appropriately addressed."
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.