November 2025 Iowa Q&A roundup

Q           Can an employer have employees sign an agreement authorizing the employer to deduct from employees’ paychecks to cover the cost of employee uniforms?

This depends on a variety of factors. In general, under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), some items—generally, those that can be used by employees outside of work, like steel-toe boots—can be at employee cost. Things that aren’t generally usable, such as specialty items or items that have to be returned to the employer upon termination, like branded materials, are generally at the employer’s cost. But state law can vary and should always be assessed.

Q           One of our delivery drivers displayed inappropriate behavior at an after-hours party at a customer’s workplace. The customer reported the behavior and requested a different driver to deliver its products, negatively affecting our client relationship. Can we discipline this employee for his off-duty conduct that violates our code of conduct?