I know this is a blog about California Employment Law. But sometimes things happen in other parts of the country that are impossible to ignore. This is one of those times.

As reported in today’s Chicago Sun Times, Melissa Nelson, 32, worked in the dental practice of James Knight, 53, for 10 years. Knight’s wife worked there too and was none to pleased when she discovered her husband and Nelson were exchanging personal text messages. The wife demanded that Nelson, who had been considered a stellar worker, be fired and Knight complied.

Knight said he had to fire Nelson because he found her too attractive. According to the article, "he complained that her tight clothing was distracting, once telling her that if his pants were bulging that was a sign her clothes were too revealing." 

Here’s the kicker. The all-male Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled that bosses can fire employees they view to be "an irresistible attraction" and that this isn’t discriminatory. Knight’s attorney even lauded the decision as a victory for family values.

Those of us blessed with incredible good looks (my photo doesn’t do me justice) would have reason to be concerned if we worked in Iowa. Here’s the opinion.

Thanks to the ever-vigilant and well-informed Mark McCreary for finding this story.