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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
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Professional Aunts No Kids
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Another smoking spinoff
If you were offered a job, at a company that has a no-smoking policy, would you take it?
If you are not a smoker I guess it wouldnt be a big deal but as a smoker, would you give up smoking for the job?
Do you think any company has the right to tell you what you can and can not do on your time away from the office??
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Posted 3/7/08 10:01 AM  |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
i actually interviewed for a job while i was smoking, and they had a strict non-smoking policy. it definitely turned me off. i wouldn't have minded if there was no smoking around the building (b/c i can understand the POV of non-smokers) but they were trying to restrict what i did on my own time, which i viewed the same way i would have if they tried to tell me they had a no drinking or no skeet shooting policy.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:04 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Personally, i do not think any company has a right to tell you what you can and cannot do on your off hours. I wiuld have a hard time working for a company like that because one "freedom" taken away can lead to others
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:05 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
the only thing an employer should be able to restrict while an employee is away from the office is anything that could interfere with their on job performance.
unless you blow up balloons for a living, I don't think it's any of their business.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:06 AM |
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MrsMerlot
Unconditional Love
Member since 4/06 6005 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
If you were offered a job, at a company that has a no-smoking policy, would you take it?
**Yes b/c I don't smoke.
If you are not a smoker I guess it wouldnt be a big deal but as a smoker, would you give up smoking for the job?
**Yes, I would give it up.
Do you think any company has the right to tell you what you can and can not do on your time away from the office??
**Away from the office - no. At the office - yes, and it's legal, especially with the increase of health benefits.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:06 AM |
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Marcie
Complete Happiness :)
Member since 5/05 27789 total posts
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LOVE being a Mommy!
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
I was a smoker and I was offered a job in a non-smoking environment, you couldn't even smoke on the property (Computer Associates).
I would just not smoke all day - but I did go out to lunch everyday 
It really didn't effect me as much as I thought it would
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:07 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
let me add another point....if your compnay found out that you smoked...it would be grounds for immediate dismissal....is that fair?
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:09 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
I don't smoke. I wouldn't want to work for a company that told me what I can and can't do on my own time.
It's a slippery slope - would they tell me I can't eat meat because veganism is better for me? Would they then start telling me what I MUST do with my time away from the office?
If I want to stop and get a giant bag of white castles on my way home from work and then veg in front of the television while gorging myself on them there burgers AND a vat of grease - and wash it down with a full fat milkshake and half a bottle of tequila while checking out violent videos and having phone sex.. that should be up to me.
Message edited 3/7/2008 10:13:56 AM.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:11 AM |
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MrsMerlot
Unconditional Love
Member since 4/06 6005 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
let me add another point....if your compnay found out that you smoked...it would be grounds for immediate dismissal....is that fair?
Do I agree with it - no.
NYTimes Article
Employers in 46 states have significant legal leeway to tell workers what they can and cannot do once they leave the office. As a result, companies have done more than tell workers not to smoke.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:12 AM |
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pinkiegirl
Member since 7/07 2160 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
let me add another point....if your compnay found out that you smoked...it would be grounds for immediate dismissal....is that fair?
Unfortunately if you accept the job knowing that policy, I would assume they have the right to fire you.
That being said I am a smoker and I wouldn't take a job where I wasn't allowed to smoke! Even if I quit I still wouldn't take the job because what's next, you know?
I can't eat certain foods because they frown upon them!?
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:13 AM |
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Marcie
Complete Happiness :)
Member since 5/05 27789 total posts
Name:
LOVE being a Mommy!
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
let me add another point....if your compnay found out that you smoked...it would be grounds for immediate dismissal....is that fair?
If it was their policy when you accepted the job or a policy that was known through out the company, then yes - because the company told the employees.
But if nothing was ever said, and they just did it without saying anything, then it is not fair.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:13 AM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
let me add another point....if your compnay found out that you smoked...it would be grounds for immediate dismissal....is that fair?
absolutely not...who are they to dictate what you do in youtr free time, I would NOT work for a company like that
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:15 AM |
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angnick
Life is So Wonderful!
Member since 8/06 6663 total posts
Name:
Angela
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
i am an ex smoker.
3 years ago my boss hired me under the assumption i would quit smoking. he said it took away from productivity. he also said that smokers take too many 'breaks' than non smoker ie running down stairs for a quick smoke.
i was still smoking at that point, so i just didnt smoke at work, i smoked before and after work. it didnt matter much, plus i was so busy that i didnt have time.
I didnt agree with him first, but now that i look back, i can see his point.
by the time you put your coat on, run outside and smoke a cigarette, you have taken up 15 minutes - half hour of your day. you lose your train of thought and it takes a while to get it back.
plus, smokers take more than the allowed 1 15 min break for every 6 hours worked, correct? I know whe I smoked i went out at least 3x a day, not including lunch.
now that i dont smoke, i actually miss the breaks cause it 'refreshed' my mind. now i just work straight through the day and dont even bother with breaks besides lunch (if i can even take lunch)
sorry if i rambled a bit.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:16 AM |
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jerseypanda
Life is good.
Member since 1/07 9164 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
let me add another point....if your compnay found out that you smoked...it would be grounds for immediate dismissal....is that fair?
My dads favorite line to me is "Life is not fair".
To answer your question, if you took a job that had the conditions that you cannot smoke... and you did smoke and they fired you for it, I sort of feel that they have the right. They told you up front that you cannot smoke and if someone were to take the job and go against those stipulations, you really can't complain.
I think people should think long and hard about taking the job if they are not going to give up smoking.
I know that my health insurance has a no-smoking option. You can get a discount on your premiums if you don't smoke. But I'd be willing to bet that if you come down with some smoking related illness and you checked off on being a non-smoker, that they would deny your claims.
Bottom line, when you know up front what the conditions are, you take your chances when you try to go around them.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:17 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
let me add another point....if your compnay found out that you smoked...it would be grounds for immediate dismissal....is that fair?
if you agreed to those terms when you were hired, then yes, it is fair.
you basically lied and did not complete a condition of your employment. no matter what the issue, I would think that is fair grounds for being canned.
you can't agree to something to get the job, and then cry foul when you are fired for not living up to it.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:19 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by jerseypanda
Bottom line, when you know up front what the conditions are, you take your chances when you try to go around them.
Yes I agree with you, BUT what if you accepted a job and the first day, when you are filling out all your HR forms and all of a sudden there is a No-smoking policy form that you have to sign.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:20 AM |
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angnick
Life is So Wonderful!
Member since 8/06 6663 total posts
Name:
Angela
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
Posted by jerseypanda
Bottom line, when you know up front what the conditions are, you take your chances when you try to go around them.
Yes I agree with you, BUT what if you accepted a job and the first day, when you are filling out all your HR forms and all of a sudden there is a No-smoking policy form that you have to sign.
that is misleading then. I would try to have it amended for me, or if i felt strongly about it, quit.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:23 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
Posted by jerseypanda
Bottom line, when you know up front what the conditions are, you take your chances when you try to go around them.
Yes I agree with you, BUT what if you accepted a job and the first day, when you are filling out all your HR forms and all of a sudden there is a No-smoking policy form that you have to sign.
this is different.
it wasn't one of the conditons of employment discussed when you entered the "deal" to work.
but, it's still on you whether you accept or not.
underhanded maybe...but as long as you agree, they are still within their right.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:23 AM |
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jerseypanda
Life is good.
Member since 1/07 9164 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
Posted by jerseypanda
Bottom line, when you know up front what the conditions are, you take your chances when you try to go around them.
Yes I agree with you, BUT what if you accepted a job and the first day, when you are filling out all your HR forms and all of a sudden there is a No-smoking policy form that you have to sign.
Ooh, very interesting! I would probably question the form first of all and ask why this wasn't told to me up front during the interview process or when the job was offered. Then at that point I would have a decision to make. If there was no way around signing the no smoking policy, I might have to reconsider going forward with the job. (if I were a smoker in that situation )
I have no idea what the legal side of that is. I would imagine that the company has the right to have you sign it. I just think that they should be more up front about it... and not pull it out of the air on the first day of hire.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:24 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Lisa
Posted by jerseypanda
Bottom line, when you know up front what the conditions are, you take your chances when you try to go around them.
Yes I agree with you, BUT what if you accepted a job and the first day, when you are filling out all your HR forms and all of a sudden there is a No-smoking policy form that you have to sign.
The company has the right to change your conditions of employment as long as they are within the legal limits of the law.
I didn't hire a temp because he smoked. Why? Because I'm not going to pay someone $20/hour when he's going to spend 15 minutes every few hours running down for smoke breaks. Is it fair? Completely.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:28 AM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by MrsMerlot
Do you think any company has the right to tell you what you can and can not do on your time away from the office??
**Away from the office - no. At the office - yes, and it's legal, especially with the increase of health benefits.
this is an interesting point... if the company is paying for your health insurance, does that give them more of a right to dictate what you can do during office hours?
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:34 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by headoverheels
Posted by MrsMerlot
Do you think any company has the right to tell you what you can and can not do on your time away from the office??
**Away from the office - no. At the office - yes, and it's legal, especially with the increase of health benefits.
this is an interesting point... if the company is paying for your health insurance, does that give them more of a right to dictate what you can do during office hours?
having unprotected sex can also impact your health...do we really want them going there?
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:45 AM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Posted by Ophelia
the only thing an employer should be able to restrict while an employee is away from the office is anything that could interfere with their on job performance.
unless you blow up balloons for a living, I don't think it's any of their business.
I agree with this.
If the problem is time out of the office for breaks, then I think that should be controlled better. But I think banning employees from doing something that is not against the law over steps the bounds.
When I smoked I didn't leave the office only for only a smoke break - I would wait until lunch or at the end of the day.
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| Posted 3/7/08 10:51 AM |
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anonttcer
BOOOO for fall!
Member since 7/06 10082 total posts
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Meaning a NON ttcer!
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
I don't really get this.
I have never heard of a company saying you can't smoke (or do anything for that matter)on your own time.
Also- how on earth would they know if you smoked at home?? 
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| Posted 3/7/08 11:01 AM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
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That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Another smoking spinoff
Ok this is the deal. I can see two reasons why a company would do this (well maybe three).
Number 1: They already pay through the roof for health insurance and maybe they have a clause in their policy with their carrier that they would only hire non-smokers to keep the rates down (and in essense keep the rates down for employees).
I have no problem with this. Health insurance is through the roof as it is. I wish my company had a no smoking clause. They can easily prove if you are a smoker or not by a simple blood test when you get hired. Just like life insurance companies find out when you apply for a no smoking policy.
Number 2: They don't want smokers constantly going down for smoke breaks. There are people at my job that I see CONSTANTLY downstairs smoking. And they aren't there for 5 mins either. It's like "social time" for them and it's a joke IMO.
I would walk out to go to lunch, see the same two smokers there that I normally see chatting it up. I would go to the store to get my food to bring it back. When I come back 15-20 mins later they are STILL down there! As a manager this would really piss me off. If I was a company owner this would piss me off as well and also leads to point #3.
Number 3: There is nothing more annoying when walking in to a building and have to walk through a cloud of smoke to get in because of all the smokers lined up outside. It's bad enough it's annoying for the employees, but what about prospective clients?
Lets say you are a CEO and are bringing in prospective clients to pitch a new piece of business. Do you think it helps that your clients have to walk through this type of atmosphere to get to your office? What will your clients think when they see the companies employees outside smoking away, when in fact those employees are probably billing time to clients at a rate of $200/hr or more?
And to everyone that says "well if they do this, what's next?" There is nothing next. There are very specific reasons for doing this and IMO wouldn't lead to anything else.
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| Posted 3/7/08 11:27 AM |
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