A state senate committee has approved a new sexual harassment policy, following a complaint filed several months ago by a staffer who worked for Republican senators.
All 50 senators and anyone who works for the senators will have to undergo training about what sexual harassment is. The new policy also creates more avenues for reporting alleged cases of sexual harassment involving senators or their staff.
Kirsten Anderson, the communications director for Senate Republicans, claims she was fired this past May after reporting harassment by lawmakers and staffers. Her boss says she was fired for substandard work. Anderson, a five year employee in the senate, has filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
The senate’s policies on sexual harassment had not been reviewed for 20 years. Senate leaders from both parties consulted with the state’s attorney general to draft the new guidelines.