Tuesday, March 25, 2003

Vast Majority of American Workers Believe Iraq War Poses No Threat to Their Job Security

Unlike Post 9/11, Workers See Little
Hostility Toward Arabs, Muslins

ATLANTA, March 25, 2003 - The vast majority of American workers do not believe the war in Iraq threatens their job security, according to a new poll commissioned by the world's largest network of employment and labor attorneys.

The Employment Law Alliance "America At Work" poll shows that 84 percent of workers are not worried about losing their job because of the war with Iraq.

Charles T. Huddleston, chair of the Employment Law Practice Team at Atlanta law firm Arnall Golden Gregory, said the poll reflects optimism in the workplace.

"There's been plenty of mixed economic news in recent weeks," Huddleston said. "Yet it appears that workers are optimistic about our country's economic prospects. You can't draw from this that our economy is poised for a significant post-war rebound, but the positive effects of a confident work force should not be discounted."

The survey also revealed that 81 percent do not think there has been an increase in discrimination or harassment against Arab-Americans, Muslims or people of Middle Eastern descent in the workplace. Six percent said there has been an increase; 9 percent said they don't have a strong opinion either way; and 4 percent either had no opinion or believed the question did not apply to their circumstances.

"Following 9/11, we saw a spike in claims of discrimination for reasons of religion and national origin, so it's great news that we are not seeing those trends re-emerge," Huddleston said. "However, it's something that employers should be sensitive to as events continue to unfold."

The ELA survey is believed to be the first national survey in which workers were questioned on the impact of war on the workplace. To conduct the poll, Pennsylvania research firm Reed, Haldy McIntosh & Associates contacted 1,000 workers in the days before war broke out.

Highlights of the survey include:

• 89 percent believe they can express opinions about the war that differ with those of their boss without facing retaliation. Only 2 percent said they thought a dissenting opinion would invite retaliation.
  
  
• 81 percent said they were not more worried now than in the aftermath of 9/11 about losing their jobs; 10 percent said they were more worried about job loss now than after the terrorist attack; 8 percent don't have a strong opinion either way; and 1 percent had no opinion.
  
  
• 78 percent said they do not believe that talk of the war in the workplace would adversely affect productivity and efficiency.
  
  
• 24 percent support federal intervention to ban strikes during times of war; 43 percent oppose federal intervention; 29 percent don't have a strong opinion either way; and 4 percent had no opinion.

Arnall Golden Gregory provides innovative legal and business counsel to entrepreneurial and growing businesses. With more than 130 attorneys in Atlanta and Macon, Georgia, the firm offers a wide range of services and takes pride in building lasting relationships with its clients, a diverse business and industry group with local, national and international interests.

AGG is the exclusive Georgia representative for the Employment Law Alliance, the world's largest integrated, global practice network comprised of premier, independent law firms distinguished for their practice in employment and labor law. There are member firms in every jurisdiction in the United States and major commercial centers throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.employmentlawalliance.com.

For More Information Contact:

Charles T. Huddleston 404.873.8674 office 404.873.8675 fax charles.huddleston@agg.com

Henry M. Perlowski 404.873.8684 404.873.8685 henry.perlowski@agg.com

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