Lang
8/9/19
The University of Iowa has extended its contract with a Des Moines law firm to begin the next stage of the employment practices review it initiated after losing a high-profile discrimination case.
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. will complete a modified review of the university’s academic and operational units, as well as UI Health Care. The university is paring back the scope of the review in order to focus on what it feels is the more immediate need of strengthening supervisor training.
According to a university news release, the review of UI Health Care and the university’s academic and operational units will:
- Review results of university-administered surveys and assessments and identify areas of concern related to each unit.
- Review any concerns received from unit employees regarding practices related to equitable treatment.
- Interview human resources leads for each unit regarding areas of concern and unit-specific practices.
- Prepare a report with analysis and recommendations.
As Fredrikson & Byron reviews each unit, employees will be invited by email to contact the project leader, Emily Pontius, to report concerns about the university’s employment practices.
The review began after a judge determined that the school had discriminated against athletics department officials Tracey Griesbaum and Jane Meyer. The lawsuit cost the UI $6.5 million.
