An Iowa State University assistant professor fired for job abandonment is entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled.
State records indicate John Grundy served as an assistant professor in the ISU psychology department from 2018 until Dec. 3, 2025, when he was fired.
According to evidence presented at Grundy’s recent unemployment-benefits hearing, he informed the school in March 2025 that he broke his foot while in Florida, sought X-rays, and then returned to Iowa wearing a protective boot. He returned to work and was given the accommodation of working on the first floor of the building where he was assigned. At some point in March 2025, he fell down a flight of stairs at his apartment building, lost consciousness but did not seek medical treatment, according to hearing testimony…