A few days ago we published a letter from the American Philosophical Association Committee on the Status of Women to Penn State on Penn State's planned discriminatory violations of privacy rights. The Chronicle reports that "has dropped a controversial plan to levy a $1,200 annual fine on employees who fail to answer health-related questions that many faculty members called too invasive." The Chronicle reports that:
In addition, this week the chairwoman of the American Philosophical Association's Committee on the Status of Women wrote a letter* to Penn State administrators saying questions about female employees' pregnancy plans were not only invasive but discriminatory.
"Penn State's health-care provider targets women employees by imposing on them a special burden of disclosure about their sexual intent," wrote Hilde Lindemann, a professor of philosophy at Michigan State University. "Are male employees required to disclose their intended sexual activity over the year?"
One small note: the university has not "dropped" the plan, but only suspended it (as the Chronicle's article makes clear); so vigilance is required. Meanwhile, congratulations to the employees of Penn State! And thank you to the APA and to Prof. Lindemann as well as her whole committee for your efforts.
*And, yes, it's pleasing to see the Chronicle link to NewAPPS!
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