Edit

Change.org

http://www.change.org/

Fairness and privacy rights in the workplace are important issues! No one should be treated differently because they don't have an certain title, work in a certain department, or have a relative in high places. Company policies should be applicable for all employees. Companies should also offer compassion and options when their employees have circumstances that may put their job in jeopardy.

Portland, Oregon: On September 5th, 2012, ESCO Corporation told their employees that the company was conducting a "universal" drug screening test and that all employees would have to participate on that day.

1. Universal implies that everyone is under the same policy and rules and should have been included in the procedure. Many upper management and various other employees were exempt from the procedure and not tested.

2. Privacy rights were broken when the company conducted their screenings in a group setting. This allowed everyone to see who passed or failed as the HR person escorted those who failed away. Employees also had the ability to visually see other employee test samples that were under suspect.

3. The company conducted themselves in a brutal and humiliating manner without any discretion to their employees.

It was common knowledge that a large layoff was coming very soon. Esco Corp decided that they needed a fast and dirty way to get rid of a lot of employees first so they could save $$$.

Paul Hicks was one of many employees that failed their test that day and was fired. His test showed a "trace" of marijuana in the results. Could it have been from Second Hand Exposure to his wife's use of marijuana while undergoing cancer treatments? ESCO didn't care nor did they allow Paul to talk to anyone concerning his test results.

Paul was a dedicated employee for 39 years with a highly respected and spotless record with the company. His father also worked for ESCO Corp for 33 years. A total of 72 years his family was tied to this company's upcoming 100th year anniversary in business.

While taking care of his wife for seven stressful months through her chemo therapy treatments, he continued to work 10-12 hour days to keep his job tasks on track for ESCO.

1. ESCO took away his income, his unemployment benefits and his health insurance.
2. ESCO took away his wife's ability to finish her Cancer Treatments.
3. ESCO violently took away his dignity.
4. ESCO has shown no compassion, nor had the decency to contact him regarding his termination or to thank him for all the years he gave the company.

==============================
We are petitioning ESCO Corporation:

1. Please compensate Paul Hicks for his dedication of 39 years to your company.

2. Please stop discriminating and ensure all employees have to follow the same rules and procedures of your policies.

3. Please stop violating employees right to privacy.

4. Please show compassion and allow your employees the opportunity to redeem themselves if extenuating circumstances have put their job at risk.

5. Please take better care of your employees.

ESCO Corporation's Executive Team
Calvin Collins: President and CEO
Ray Verlinich: Senior Vice President
Nick Blauwiekel: Senior Vice President
Jon Owens: Senior Vice President
Francois Baril: Senior Vice President
Kevin Thomas: Senior Vice President

ESCO Corporation's Board of Directors
Steve Pratt, Calvin Collins, Peter F. Adams, Frank Alvarez, Stephen Babson, Peter F. Bechen, Hank Swigert, Robert Warren, Jr.
==============================