Hampe v. Charles Gabus Motors, Inc.
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Scott Hampe was employed by Charles Gabus Motors, Inc. (Gabus) from 2008 until December 2019. Gabus conducted an unannounced drug test on December 5, 2019, assisted by Mid-Iowa Occupational Testing (Mid-Iowa). Hampe was selected as an alternate for testing and was ultimately tested. During the test, Hampe provided two insufficient urine samples and decided to leave the testing area to care for his sick child, despite being warned by his manager that leaving would result in termination. Hampe was subsequently fired.
Hampe filed a lawsuit against Gabus and Mid-Iowa in May 2020, alleging violations of Iowa Code section 730.5, which governs employer drug testing, and asserting common law claims. The Iowa District Court for Polk County granted summary judgment in favor of Gabus and Mid-Iowa, dismissing all of Hampe’s claims. Hampe appealed, and the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of claims against Mid-Iowa and most claims against Gabus but reversed the dismissal of claims related to testing pool requirements, supervisor training, and uniform disciplinary policy, finding genuine issues of material fact.
The Iowa Supreme Court reviewed the case and focused on Hampe’s claim that Gabus violated section 730.5’s requirements for the composition of testing pools. The court concluded that Gabus failed to substantially comply with the statutory requirements for the testing pool, as the pool included employees who were not scheduled to work at the time of testing. The court also found that Hampe was aggrieved by this failure, as his selection for testing and subsequent termination were based on a non-compliant process. The court reversed the district court’s judgment in part, affirmed it in part, and remanded the case for further proceedings to determine the appropriate relief for Hampe. The court also deemed Hampe’s claims concerning supervisor training and uniform disciplinary policy moot in light of the resolution of the pooling claim.
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