Dear Lucy,
A friend of mine, who works for a large corporation, recently received a letter in the mail stating that all employees would have to sign an affidavit stating whether they have used tobacco products.
Any employee who has, is subject to a $20.00 per paycheck surcharge for their medical benefits.
While she has no problem with the money issue, the issue of personal privacy comes up.
When does a company have the right to force an employee to divulge what he/she does in their personal lives?
Where does it end? Will the next affidavit ask whether one has had unprotected sex? Eats junk food more than twice a week? Is this really about the cost of insurance?
Are we allowing our employers access to information that, as Americans, we have the right to keep private?
I fear for my country.
--Kathy
The United Corporatocracies of America.
ReplyDeleteAn addendum - it got even more "1930's Nazi Germany" here this week when they announced in addition to the smoking surcharge that employees who have blood pressure of less than 140 over 90 and LDL cholesterol levels under 140 will be given bonuses and prizes up to $400.00 each. So - there goes genetics. If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol disease your screwed. I am baffled that the Civil Rights that protect me as a citizen of this country are completely revoked when I step inside that door to go to work everyday.
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