Richard MacAndrew, Ron Martinez-Taboos and Issues_ Photocopiable Lessons on Controversial Topics (LTP instant lessons)-Heinle ELT (2001)

Big Brotherls watching!
Discussion
Do you think that your employer has the right to ask about your private life? Tick (/) the questions you
think it is OK for an employer to ask:
Reading
What is your ntaritdl stdtus?
Do you haue children?
r\lbat is the highest leuel of formal education you haue achieued?
rYhat is your religion?
Haue you euer serued in the military?
Are yotr a member of a political party?
Do you suffer from any physical disabilities?
Do yott haue any serious diseases?
Hdue you euer been in prison?
Haue you euer been conuicted of a serious traffic offence?
Are 1,ou homosexual?
Hat,e you euer used drugs such as cannabis?
The article below describes some issues about privacy in the United States. ls your country similar?
Better or worse? In what ways?
Shhh... Someone might be listening!
Ever find yourself watching, the clock at work? Be
careful, it nray be watching you. A recent survey by the
Anrerican Management Association reveals that 32 per
cent of major US firms record <strong>and</strong> keep track of
employees'communications <strong>and</strong> activities while on the
job. Today's high-tech miniature cameras, for example,
nrake it easy to keep an eye on you.
"You can put them in a fan, a smoke detector, a light
switch, you can put them almost anywhere," said one
private i nvestig,ator.
What's the benefit?
"lt keeps people honest," said the
director of security at a large retailer in Los Angeles.
"And if a company finds employees cheating on them
.rnd they take action, they end up saving money."
And it doesn't stop at video cameras. Monitoring
enrployees'r.rse of the internet <strong>and</strong> e-mail is now
common practice. A company recently sacked more
than 20 employees for sending e-mails which the
company called "inappropriate <strong>and</strong> offensive."
The fact is, our personal privacy is dccrcasing all the
time. Credit rating, companies keep tabs on your
personal financial history from the day you get your first
credit card. Anyone who has ever used the internet
knows that their surfing habits are constantly being
traced by'cookies'. Even where you are at any
particular time will soon be easy to find out. Already,
employee security cards record when people enter ancJ
leave buildings. Discount supermarket programs track
what people buy, where <strong>and</strong> when. Cell phones,
h<strong>and</strong>held devices, even car navigation systems will
soon have detailed tracking abilities, if thcy do not
already have them.
"lt all seems like an infringement of our privacy," said a
representative of the American Righto Privacy League.
"But in a way, we are the ones who open the doors ancl
Iet these people in."
1. What is the writer's attitude towards decreasing personal privacy?
a. irngry b. warning c. enthusiastic d. neutral
2. What is the expression used in the last paragraph that means privacy is not respected?
3. Look at the text again <strong>and</strong> find words <strong>and</strong> expressions that mean 'to monitor'.
Discussion
l.Monitoring people is good because
"lt keeps people honest." Do you agree?
2. Would your employer get more work from you if you knew they were watching you?
30 Big Brother is watching! <strong>Taboos</strong> <strong>and</strong> /ssues
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