Iowa Employee Handbook

Oct 9, 2025

When your company hires employees in Iowa, you are required to comply with federal, state, and local employment laws. There are a variety of human resources and labor policies in the workplace that differ by state. Through your employee handbook, employers can easily document and distribute the correct policies to their employees to comply with the laws of each state.

Creating your Iowa Employee Handbook is a useful way to explain important policies and procedures, mitigate legal risk, and introduce employees to the expectations and operating practices of the organization.

Mosey has compiled the relevant policies a company with employees in Iowa must consider.

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Iowa Employee Handbook Policies

There are 4 state and local employee handbook policies in Iowa.

Leaves of Absence

Iowa Jury Duty Leave Policy

You are entitled to job-protected leave to serve as a juror. Unless directed otherwise by your manager, you should return to work at the completion of jury duty, even if for a partial day.

Iowa Volunteer Emergency Responder Leave Policy

You are permitted to take unpaid leave to act as a volunteer emergency responder and are absent from or late to work in fulfillment of your duties as a volunteer emergency services provider.

Iowa Military Service Leave

You are entitled to up to 30 days of paid leave if called for military duty.

Iowa Voting Leave Policy

You are provided time off to vote in any public election if you don’t not have two consecutive hours available to vote in while the polls are open outside of your working hours.

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Federal Employee Handbook Policies

Regardless of which states you have employees in, there are required federal policies that must be included in your employee handbook. In addition to any state-specific policies, your employee handbook for Iowa should contain the following federal policies.

  • Anti-Harassment Policy
  • Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy
  • Anti-Retaliation Policy
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
  • Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Handbook Policy Best Practices

In addition to the required federal policies, the following policies are best practices to include in your employee handbook.

  • Weapons Policy
  • Disciplinary Action Policy
  • Prohibited Conduct Policy
  • Violations Reporting Policy
  • Workplace Violence Prevention Policy
  • At-Will Employment

Employee handbook requirements by state

Select a state to learn more about state and federal HR policies.

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