CURRENT ORGANIZING STRATEGIES
DRUG TESTING
Currently the ACLU's focus is on general public education and outreach to human resource managers' associations. A new monograph, entitled "Drug Testing: A Good Investment?," will be available in the fall of '98. It discusses new research indicating that random drug testing is not a cost-effective approach to preventing drug-related workplace problems. A toll-free information line (800-323-8820) has been set up for human resource managers to contact the ACLU's Task Force for further information on drug testing and alternatives.
Affiliates and activists can assist by:
- publicizing the monograph and 800 number
- raising the issue of random drug testing with local manager associations
- letters to the editor on how random drug testing is both ineffectual and a violation of the Bill of Rights protection against unreasonable searches (sample letter available from 'TOOLS' menu)
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ELECTRONIC MONITORING
The Task Force is conducting public education on electronic monitoring in the workplace, and has worked with several state legislators on draft bills.
Affiliates and activists can assist by:
- raising the issue in local media (a sample letter to the editor is available from 'TOOLS' menu)
- drawing public attention to any local violations of rights to privacy from electronic monitoring
- letting the Task Force know of dramatic examples of electronic monitoring.
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GENETIC DISCRIMINATION
There are over sixty bills pending in eighteen state legislatures relating to protection against genetic discrimination in either insurance or the workplace. It is important that the ACLU be involved in the initial writing of such bills, because bill sponsors often have a very limited understanding of the issue and what provisions the bill needs to include.
The Task Force is also participating in discussions at the national level on bills relating to genetic discrimination.
Affiliates and activists can assist by:
- let the Task Force know if your state legislature initiates a bill on genetic discrimination
- raising public awareness of the issue in local media (a sample letter to the editor is vailable from 'TOOLS' menu)
- responding to our action alerts and action letters in relation to national legislation
- letting the Task Force know of any dramatic local genetic discrimination cases
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LIFESTYLE DISCRIMINATION
The Task Force is working with several states on lifestyle discrimination bills (i.e., that discriminate on the basis of behaviors such as smoking, high-risk sports, overeating).
Affiliates and activists can assist by:
- raising public awareness of the issue in local media (a sample letter to the editor is available from 'TOOLS' menu)
- supporting state bills that would increase protections from employer abuse of information about personal behaviors or medical conditions
- letting the Task Force know of any dramatic lifestyle discrimination examples
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WRONGFUL DISCHARGE
The Task Force is working on general public education on the need for legislation requiring due process for employee terminations -- most people mistakenly assume that they have some legal protection from arbitrary dismissal. We would like to see model legislation introduced at the state level.
Affiliates and activists can assist by
- raising public awareness of the issue in local media, especially in states that have no requirement for due process (a sample letter to the editor is available from 'TOOLS' menu)
- drawing attention to cases where an employee was obviously wrongfully discharged
- letting the Task Force know of dramatic wrongful discharge cases.
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