Legal Question in Employment Law in Iowa
I was recently offered a job, contingent on a background check. I answered all of my questions truthfully. I do have a pending misdemeanor charge, but they only asked about convictions. When the background check was performed, this showed on my record. Technically, they agreed I had been completely honest. However, they still rescinded the offer, citing specifically my pending charge. Is this legal? Is this discrimination? I did not once lie, and I have not (nor plan to be) convicted. Because of this, I'm having to cancel my lease, and try to get my old job back, as they waited until a week prior to my start date. I realize its an at will employment (engineering salaried position, non-government work), but I thought there was something in the law that stated that this sort of behavior is illegal.
1 Answer from Attorneys
It is legal and is not discrimination. It's not nice, but that's not what you asked me. A prospective employer is under no obligation to offer you or me a job.