Kay Oskvig

Kay Oskvig delivers practical, efficient advice focusing on employment, union, corporate, and data privacy matters.

EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR LAW MATTERS

Kay counsels businesses, governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations on a wide range of workforce issues including civil rights complaints, hiring, discipline, internal investigations, terminations, health and safety, reasonable accommodations, non-solicitation and non-competition covenants, compliance with leave laws, responding to wage and hour audits. She drafts executive compensation, independent contractor, and separation/release agreements. Many clients rely on her guidance for compliance issues, and she regularly provides policies and procedures. Kay helps clients analyze a variety of federal and state laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act. She also leads management-side union matters, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and handling grievances. Kay is a SHRM Recertification Provider.

CORPORATE, DUE DILIGENCE, AND INFORMATION SECURITY ISSUES

Kay regularly advises corporate clients on a variety of risk management topics and corporate governance matters, including buy-sell agreements, due diligence, data privacy, risk mitigation, cybersecurity, and nonprofit management issues. She counsels clients about workplace health and safety issues, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance and investigations.  In 2021, she attained the International Association of Privacy Professionals designation as a Certified Information Privacy Professional in United States law (CIPP/US). Kay fields questions from clients on data breach, information security, and risk matters often involving the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other state, federal, or international statutes. While Kay predominately works to help clients prevent and avoid litigation, she routinely defends agency complaints and advocates for clients in contested matters. She provides on-site and virtual training to clients and frequently presents to community and industry groups.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Kay has served on nonprofit boards across the state of Iowa and is actively involved in the Iowa State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She is a former member of the ABA House of Delegates. She is a member of Leadership Iowa class of 2022—2023, Chair of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Labor and Employment Practice Group, and past co-Chair of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Information Technology Committee.

for more information

Contact Kay today or call us at 515-288-6041. 

Affiliations

• SHRM Recertification Provider
• American Bar Association
  • Delegate, House of Delegates
• Iowa State Bar Association
  • Past Chair, Public Relations Committee
  • Past Chair, Administrative Law Section Council
  • At-Large Representative, Young Lawyers Division
• Iowa Organization of Women Attorneys
• Polk County Bar Association
• Polk County Women Attorneys
• Young Professionals Connection

industry and community involvement

• Leadership Iowa, Class of 2022—2023
• International Association of Privacy Professionals
  • CIPP/US Certification
• Junior League of Des Moines
  • Board Member
  • Fund Development Manager
  • Training and Education Manager
• Graduate, Regional Leadership Programs
  • Leadership Fairfield
  • Leadership Siouxland
• Junior League of Sioux City
  • Board Member and Officer
• Carry On Bags (Food Insecurity Non-Profit)
  • Board Member and Officer

Honors & Recognitions

• Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2022)
• Selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Labor and Employment Law - Employee, Labor and Employment Law - Management (Ones to Watch: 2021—2025)

Presentations and Publications

• "Workplace Accessibility Roundtable," The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, June 2025
• "Blood, Sweat, and...Bowel Movements? Handling "Gross" Topics in the Workplace," Iowa Employment Conference, April 2025
• "Federal Funding in 2025," Client Presentation, April 2025
• "Respectful Workplaces: Preventing Harassment and Discrimination," Client Presentations, April 2025
• Commentary, "By the Book: Navigating Legal Challenges in 2025," Business Record, March 28, 2025..
• "HR in Construction," Associated General Contractors of Iowa Spring Day, March 2025
• "Immigration Updates and ICE Response," Client Presentation, February 2025
• "Antitrust in Construction," Client Presentation, February 2025
• "Executive Orders," Client Presentation, January 2025
• "Employment Law Trends – Projection for 2025," Client Presentations, December 2024
• "Employer Year-End Update," Client Presentations, December 2024
• "Iowa Drug Testing Training for Supervisors," Client Presentation, November 2024
• "Davis-Bacon for Payroll and HR Professionals," Client Presentation, October 2024
• "Reality Check: Artificial Intelligence in Litigation," CLE Presentation,  Lincoln Inne of Court, October 2024
• Co-author, "Practicing well-being at work: How can employers help?" The Iowa Lawyer, September 2024

• "Artificial Intelligence and Privacy in Litigation," CLE Presentation, August 2024

• Presenter with Megan Happe, "I-9 Compliance Training," Client Presentation, August 2024

• "Employment Hot Topics – A Year in Review," Client Presentation, July 2024

• "Major Regulatory Changes for Employers in 2024," CLE Presentation, June 2024

• "2024 Regulatory Update: Non-Competes, Salary Thresholds, Accommodations, and More!" Client Presentations, May 2024

• "Preventing Discrimination and Harassment," Client Presentations, April 2024
• "Leadership Lessons," Junior League of Des Moines, April 2024
• "Labor Law for Non-Union Employers," Iowa Employment Conference, April 2024
• "Difficult Conversations - Practical Guidance for Managers," Client Presentation, January 2024
• "Construction Law HR Issues," Master Builders of Iowa Cornerstone Academy, November 2023
• "Conflicts of Interest and Government Agencies," Client Presentation, August 2023
• "Common HR Questions," Client Presentation, February 2023
• "Respecting Co-workers and Avoiding Claims in a Manufacturing Environment," Client Presentation, January 2023
• "HR Issues in Construction," Master Builders of Iowa Cornerstone Academy, December 2022
• "Davis Bacon Payments — Common Pitfalls," Client Presentation, December 2022
• "Understanding Accommodations," Des Moines Disability Hiring Symposium, November 2022
• "Reducing Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Claims," Client Presentation, October 2022
• "What does This Handbook Say, and Why Should I Care?" Client Presentation, October 2022
• "Respectful Workplaces," Client Presentation, October 2022
• "Labor Law 101," Client Presentation, September 2022
• "OFCCP Reporting Requirements for Government Contractors," Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting CLE Presentation, June 2022
• "Employment and Labor Law Topics for Litigators," CLE Presentation, June 2022
• "30 (Legal) Ideas for Hiring and Retaining Employees," Iowa Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel 10th Annual Corporate Counsel Forum, May 2022
• "Handling Employee Concerns," Client Presentation, May 2022
• "Is This Legal? Handling Tough Employment Issues," Client Presentation, May 2022
• "Hiring, Firing, and Managing Staff," Client Presentation, May 2022
• "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Human Resources," Association of Corporate Counsel Iowa Chapter, May 2022
• "Employer Responsibilities Under Iowa Law," Client Presentation, March 2022
• "Is This Legal??" Client Presentation, March 2022
• "Employment Law and Practices," Client Presentation, March 2022
• "Employment Law for Managers," Client Presentation, February, 2022

• "COVID-19 OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard," Iowa-Illinois Safety Council, January 2022

• "Building an Effective Team – HR Issues in Construction," Iowa Roofing Contractors Association, 
  January 2022
• Employment Law Guest Lecture, Drake Law School, November 2021
• "COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates: Guidance for Employers," Client Presentation, November 2021
• "Law Firm Diversity and Inclusion," Iowa Chapter of Association of Legal Administrators, October 2021
• “Preferred Pronouns in Litigation,” CLE Presentation, July 2021
• "COVID-19 Employer Update: Vaccines, Employee Turnover, and the Latest Guidance," Client Presentation, July 2021
• “COVID-19 Employer Update," “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Legal Requirements," and Moderator, “Lightning Round Q&A,” Whitfield & Eddy Virtual Client Seminar, May 2021
• "Divorce, Custody, and Family Law Issues – What’s a Council to Do?" Iowa Extension Council Association Presentation, April 2021
• "Employment Issues and COVID-19," Polk County Bench and Bar CLE Presentation, March 2021
• “Advising Clients on COVID-19 Issues," CLE Presentation, February 2021
• "Vaccinating Your Workplace" ALFA International Presentation, February 2021
• "New Year, New Rules: COVID-19 and Your Business in 2021," Client Presentation, February 2021
• "Furloughs, Reductions in Force and Layoffs," Iowa State Bar Association CLE Presentation, December 2020
• “Custodian of Public Record and Open Records Requests,” Client Presentation, December 2020
• "Practical Guidance for Employers: Winter 2020/2021," Client Presentation, November 2020
• "Shielding Lawyers and Banks: Client Representation and Legalized Marijuana," Polk County Bar Association CLE Presentation, November 2020
• "Layoffs and RIFs," Client Presentation, October 2020
• "FFCRA Updates for Healthcare Organizations," Client Presentation, October 2020
• "Vaccines, Mental Health, and Relocating Employees," Client Presentation, September 2020
• "Top Five COVID-19 Employment Issues," Client Presentation, August 2020
• "COVID-19 Employer Update Webinar," Client Presentation, August 2020
• “Public Records and Open Meetings: Legal Custodian Training,” Client Presentation, July 2020
• “Infection Control Policies: Best Practices,” Client Presentation, July 2020
• "The PPP Flexibility Act and Other CARES Act Loan Programs," Client Presentation, June 2020
• "COVID-19 Employer Liability Issues," Client Presentations, June 2020
• "COVID-19 Employer Update," Client Presentations, May 2020
• "Emerging COVID-19 Legal Issues," CLE Presentation, May 2020
• "COVID-19 Employer Update: Keeping up with the Regulators Webinar," Iowa Motor Truck Association Presentation, April 2020
• "Keeping up with the Regulators (OSHA, EEOC, and more)," Client Presentations, April 2020
• "COVID-19 Employer FAQs," Client Presentations, March 2020
• "ISU Extension Council Town Hall Meeting," Iowa Extension Council Association, March 2020
• "Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Update," Client Presentation, March 2020
• "People's Law School: Employment Law Basics," Iowa State Bar Association Presentation, February 2020
• "Keeping Discrimination & Harassment Out of Your Workplace," Client Presentations, 2019—2020
• "ABCs of Employment Law," Client Presentations, 2019
• "Young Lawyers Division Report," Iowa State Bar Association CLE, October 2019
• “Anatomy of an Unemployment Appeal,” CLE Presentation, October 2019
• "Hot Topics: Employment Law Update," Employers' Council of Iowa Presentation, September 2019
• "You’re How Old?? Managing a Multigenerational Workforce," Employers' Council of Iowa Presentation, July 2019
• “Hiring and Managing Student Interns and Law Clerks,” CLE Presentation, June 2019
• "Hiring and Managing Student Interns and Law Clerks," Lincoln Inne of Court CLE Presentation, April 2019
• “OSHA 101,” CLE Presentation, April 2019
• "Cybersecurity: Ethical Requirements and Professional Obligations for Law Firms," CLE Presentation, April 2019
• "Employment Law & Practices," Iowa Extension Council Association Presentation, March 2019