Children's Hospital saying no to new hires who smoke

[luvsJack]

They aren't reprimanded, as far as I know. I can see them from my office window and the entire IT department uses about 15 minutes of every hour outside to smoke. They work 8.5 hour days like the rest of the staff, so approximately 2.5 hours of that is smoking time.

That isn't a smoker problem its a management problem.

 

[DizBelle]

That is not accurate. Think about extremely fit weight lifters that don't have an ounce of fat on them, yet they would be considered obese per their BMI. It's not black and white when it comes to BMI.

According to the standard BMI calculator, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is obese. Would anyone here consider him unhealthy?

 

[Chocolate Cake]

According to the standard BMI calculator, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is obese. Would anyone here consider him unhealthy?

Exactly! That man's body is a temple.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

According to the standard BMI calculator, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is obese. Would anyone here consider him unhealthy?

Why does this come up every time BMI is mentioned?

 

[luvsJack]

I am not sure I would use Dwayne Johnson as an example. As a former/current wwe wrestler, his weight/muscle mass has gone up and down quickly many times. He may look wonderful but I wouldn't count on the health factor.

 

[Arielle22]

My brother in law is a police officer. When he was hired 10 years ago, new hires couldn't smoke. He used to smoke a cigar once a month while he mowed his parents' lawn. He had to give it up (didn't bother him to do so).

In labor law, there is legal discrimination or illegal discrimination. In most states, not hiring a smoker, is not illegal. My company won't hire people with hair color found outside of natural color; visible tattoos, facial piercings or gauges. Is that discrimination, possibly. Is it illegal? Definitely not.

 

[DizBelle]

So then, if I understand you correctly, employers should have the right to refuse to hire any individual for any reason they don't personally agree with (or, just worry that the person will be more expensive to cover).

So, if every company in America decided that they only wanted to hire athletic, vegan virgins, this would be okay?

If their business was around vegan eating and virgins, that hiring policy is fine.

 

[Colleen27]

That isn't a smoker problem its a management problem.

Exactly. But I think sometimes not wanting to hire smokers comes from not wanting employees that will even take the breaks they're officially allowed. I know that's how it was in my last office - smokers weren't outside every hour or anything excessive, but they did take the two 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch that we were all given on paper while most of the non-smokers worked through breaks and lunch as a matter of routine. So we were mostly working an extra hour a day, without extra pay, compared to our smoking counterparts. From the employer's perspective no doubt that makes non-smokers better employees.

 

[Laura66]

Exactly. But I think sometimes not wanting to hire smokers comes from not wanting employees that will even take the breaks they're officially allowed. I know that's how it was in my last office - smokers weren't outside every hour or anything excessive, but they did take the two 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch that we were all given on paper while most of the non-smokers worked through breaks and lunch as a matter of routine. So we were mostly working an extra hour a day, without extra pay, compared to our smoking counterparts. From the employer's perspective no doubt that makes non-smokers better employees.

That could be true - but I've noticed that when smokers take a break it's different from non-smokers. Argue all you like - but I've seen it first hand - repeatedly.
Smokers have to round up their smoking buddies, then get their coats, etc. before they "officially" take their break. They have to proceed to their smoking area where now the "official" break begins. After they are done they return to work and head to the bathroom before getting back to work. A 15 minute break now becomes a half hour break.
My husband had a guy - on his first day of work - tell him "I need to go" out of the blue in the middle of him explaining work policy. Literally interrupted him to take a smoking break! He didn't return for a half hour! My husband gave him a week more - but it was a problem (one many) and my husband let him go.
I sure he's not the only one who has seen this behavior happen time and time again!

 

[luvsJack]

Exactly. But I think sometimes not wanting to hire smokers comes from not wanting employees that will even take the breaks they're officially allowed. I know that's how it was in my last office - smokers weren't outside every hour or anything excessive, but they did take the two 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch that we were all given on paper while most of the non-smokers worked through breaks and lunch as a matter of routine. So we were mostly working an extra hour a day, without extra pay, compared to our smoking counterparts. From the employer's perspective no doubt that makes non-smokers better employees.

I had a friend whose dr warned her to continue taking her breaks when she quit smoking. Not to smoke of course but to get out of the office for the allowed 10 or 15 minutes. He felt strongly that employers should be forced to make taking breaks mandetory. He also said that stopping the breaks was a huge mistake for those trying to quit and made their days more stressful which made it harder to quit.

 

[luvsJack]

That could be true - but I've noticed that when smokers take a break it's different from non-smokers. Argue all you like - but I've seen it first hand - repeatedly.
Smokers have to round up their smoking buddies, then get their coats, etc. before they "officially" take their break. They have to proceed to their smoking area where now the "official" break begins. After they are done they return to work and head to the bathroom before getting back to work. A 15 minute break now becomes a half hour break.
My husband had a guy - on his first day of work - tell him "I need to go" out of the blue in the middle of him explaining work policy. Literally interrupted him to take a smoking break! He didn't return for a half hour! My husband gave him a week more - but it was a problem (one many) and my husband let him go.
I sure he's not the only one who has seen this behavior happen time and time again!

I have seen it too but again its a management problem. They are allowing it to continue.

When I worked in a medical clinic we got two 10 min breaks a day. Rather than make longer breaks, we all new that we went at 10 and 2. Whoever planned to smoke with us went out the door at 10 and returned at 10:10. If we didn't we would have all gotten written up.

Now, I get 2 15 min breaks. I take them alone and am back in 10. My boss doesn't expect me not to take them and I don't take advantage. Plus I don't want to get in trouble if the pres comes on campus.