A large majority of working Americans want their next President to focus on improving the standard of living, keeping U.S. companies from outsourcing jobs overseas and providing universal health care coverage.  By contrast, according to the latest “America at Work” national opinion poll, fewer than half of the survey participants identified immigration issues as very or somewhat important.

The workplace issues poll was commissioned by the non-partisan Employment Law Alliance (ELA).  When broken down by state, North Carolina findings were consistent with national averages on every topic concerning workplace regulation issues.  The state did, however, poll statistically higher on issues concerning the outsourcing of jobs to foreign countries and the provision of health coverage for all U.S. citizens.

The outcome was also similar when comparing results between North Carolina and Indiana, the two states holding Presidential primary elections next week.

 

Importance of Next President to Focus on Select Workplace Regulation Issues (% Answering Very or Somewhat Important)	U.S. Total	North Carolina	Indiana
Increase proportion of American workforce earning at least living wage	87%	85%	78%
Make it harder for U.S. companies to outsource American jobs to foreign countries	86%	94%	85%
Provide health coverage for all U.S. citizens	83%	89%	79%
Increase workplace safety regulation	76%	73%	62%
Expand family leave laws to cover wider range of family obligations	70%	73%	74%
Strengthen enforcement of workplace discrimination laws	69%	66%	64%
Make it easier for unions to organize workers	45%	41%	43%

“The nearly universal concern in North Carolina about outsourcing reflects the changes in segments of our historical economic base, including the textile and other manufacturing industries,” said Keith Weddington, the North Carolina ELA representative and an employment attorney with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP.

“There were also high levels of concern in nearly every region of the country over virtually all issues of workplace regulation,” noted Weddington.  “This certainly suggests that Americans think there should be changes to laws affecting the workplace during the next President’s term.”

A Few Exceptions?
While immigration and its impact on the workplace is a high-profile issue, it is not a relatively high concern to survey participants.

• Only 25% are concerned with granting amnesty to all illegal immigrants.
• 35% are concerned with increasing the number of legal immigrants allowed into the U.S.
• 40% of respondents said they are concerned with changing immigration laws to make it easier for foreign scientists/engineers to work in the U.S.

Amongst the lowest rated concerns for those in North Carolina - and the South in general - was making it easier for unions to organize workers.  Weddington suggests this is not surprising, given the relatively small number of North Carolina workers who belong to labor unions.

The “America at Work” poll is the 18th national survey concerning workplace regulation commissioned by ELA. For further information, including access to the survey charts and graphs, please visit www.employmentlawalliance.com

Survey
Based on a sampling of 1,125 working Americans, the “America at Work” national opinion survey is believed to be the only national survey to date focusing exclusively on a wide range of workplace-related issues that will likely confront the next President.  The survey was conducted on April 22nd.  The Philadelphia-based reed group conducted the survey and received input from ELA attorneys around the country to help determine the most appropriate questions.  The error interval is +/- 2.99% at a 95% level of confidence.

Employment Law Alliance
The Employment Law Alliance is the world’s largest integrated, global practice network comprised of premier, independent law firms distinguished for their practice in employment and labor law.  Comprised of more than 3,000 lawyers, there are members firms in every jurisdiction in the United States and over 75 countries around the world.

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP is the North Carolina member firm of the Employment Law Alliance.  The firm has 225 lawyers in six offices across the Carolinas, including Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina; and Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Spartanburg, South Carolina.  The Firm counsels clients in Banking & Capital Markets, Business Law, Litigation, Real Estate & Commercial Development and Regulatory Law. These clients represent a wide range of industries and include leaders in international banking and finance, health care, life sciences, retail, energy, construction, manufacturing, technology, professional services, and resort and hospitality.  For additional information, please visit www.parkerpoe.com.