# Iowa Code § 20.7: Public employer rights

> Iowa · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.7

## Section

- **Citation:** Iowa Code § 20.7
- **Heading:** Public employer rights
- **Jurisdiction:** Iowa
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** IA Code / Title I / Chapter 20 / Section 20.7

## Text

Public employers shall have, in addition to all powers, duties, and rights established by constitutional provision, statute, ordinance, charter, or special act, the exclusive power, duty, and the right to:

(1) Direct the work of its public employees.

(2) Hire, evaluate, promote, demote, transfer, assign, and retain public employees in positions within the public agency.

(3) Suspend or discharge public employees for proper cause.

(4) Maintain the efficiency of governmental operations.

(5) Relieve public employees from duties because of lack of work or for other legitimate reasons.

(6) Determine and implement methods, means, assignments, and personnel by which the public employer’s operations are to be conducted.

(7) Take such actions as may be necessary to carry out the mission of the public employer.

(8) Initiate, prepare, certify, and administer its budget.

(9) Exercise all powers and duties granted to the public employer by law.

[C75, 77, 79, 81, §20.7]2017 Acts, ch 2, §4, 26, 27

## Nearby sections

- [Iowa Code § 20.1 Public policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.1.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.2 Title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.2.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.3 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.3.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.4 Exclusions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.4.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.5 Public employment relations board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.5.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.6 General powers and duties of board.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.6.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.7 Public employer rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.7.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.8 Public employee rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.8.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.9 Scope of negotiations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.9.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.10 Prohibited practices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.10.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.11 Prohibited practice violations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.11.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.12 Strikes prohibited penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.12.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.13 Bargaining unit determination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.13.md)
- [Iowa Code § 20.14 Bargaining representative determination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IA_TI_C20_S20.7. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.