SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 28, 2002) - The vast majority of Americans are mad as hell at Corporate America, including top executives, and believe they cannot be trusted to help stabilize the nation's highly volatile economy or fix the mess in their own corner offices, according to the latest "America At Work" poll released by the Employment Law Alliance (ELA)

Stephen J. Hirschfeld, Esq., founder and Chief Executive Officer of ELA, the world's largest network of employment and labor lawyers, said the survey polled within the past two weeks 1,000 American men and women on who they trust to help reverse the current crisis in both the economy and in Corporate America, and what specific actions they believe can have a positive impact.

"The poll touched a nerve and the high level of mistrust, anxiety and frustration caused by these problems can be felt from every assembly line and cubicle throughout America," said Hirschfeld. "The real test for Corporate America will be how it generally responds to this crisis and what techniques individual businesses use to rebuild eroding trust among their workers and shareholders." He stated some of the poll's key findings:

" 53% said they have little trust in corporate executives to solve the problems
" 35% said they have little trust in the legal system to help solve the problems
" 35% expressed little hope in labor unions to help solve the problems
" 34% said they have little trust in government to fix the problems
" 30% said they had little trust in independent auditors


"It is both remarkable and regrettable that the highest level of trust was in the government to help cure the problem, but that was expressed by only 18% of those surveyed. There is a shocking level of despair and pessimism directed all around, but particularly at the corporate sector." said Hirschfeld. "Non-union employers should pay particular attention to results indicating that the American people have twice as much faith in labor unions as they do in corporations to help clean up the mess."

Besides asking who they trust to solve the problems, Americans were asked what specific actions they favor to reverse the current crisis in the economy and corporate leadership. Again, their responses were revealing:

" 73% said there should be mandatory representation of rank-and-file workers on corporate boards
" 58% supported unions organizing workers in more companies to ensure they are better protected
" 84% said employee pension funds should force corporations to become more accountable
" 79% said new laws are needed to prevent corporate abuses
" 75% said the federal government needs to be more aggressive in its oversight of businesses

"Labor Unions have a lot to feel positive about on this Labor Day," commented Dr. Theodore Reed, survey director of the "America At Work" poll. "On the one hand, unions are held in comparatively high esteem on the trust factor and, because of the size of union pension funds, they would benefit greatly if pension funds were to exert more influence over the companies in which they invested."

Hirschfeld, who said ELA affiliates are busy counseling clients facing the ongoing crisis in confidence, said corporate leaders need to pay more attention to the HR side of their businesses in this kind of environment. "HR clearly has to play a more active and highly visible role in these organizations and management needs to work closely with employment lawyers to develop lawful and effective employee communication programs," he said.

The Employment Law Alliance is the 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 cities throughout the world. Other recent ELA-sponsored "America At Work" public opinion surveys have focused on the impact of the technology-driven, 24-hour workplace, attitudes toward violence in the workplace and romantic relationships between supervisors and subordinates.

For further information please contact Stephen Hirschfeld at 415-835-9011 or shirschfeld@CDHKS.com or visit www.employmentlawalliance.com