British Expatriate Network

Smokers are being told to quit or loose their jobs and some companies are refusing jobs to smokers.
What do you think?
http//www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/20/Smokers_050520.html

I think that this thread will turn into a fight, so I will keep qiuet.

But I like what one company did by helping smokers quit

Where John works, they regularly slip outside (walk three miles of corridors, down 10 floors in the slowest elevator, then out to the walkway) to do this. By the time they get back to their desk, its time for another fag break wink



Nothing like an ex-smoker regards roll

Normally, I'd say it would be up to the business to hire and fire who they want, but this stinks of discrimination.

Why don't they just have smokers pay higher health premiums like they do for life insurance or whatever. What's next - employees who are overweight, or employees who have certain health problems?

As a non smoker, I have been known for taking 'fresh air breaks' where I just up and walk around outside for 10 minutes. If the employer complains, I'll just say that I'm using my 'smoke break' time. wink

I do that too. There is absolutely nothing they can do about it!

I'm surprised Canada is following suit because the companies do not have to directly pay for health insurance costs as here that is covered by the government.

I do have some sympathy with U.S companies who foot the bill for their employees' health insurance. But the problem is, where do you then draw the line? Do you not hire people who are obese, or who have bad eating habits, or refuse to go the gym or take excercise. They already cut peoples' hair to see if they smoke dope, so what about a daily alcohol test?

You know, there's lots of things people do that aren't good for them. Smoking as it turns out isn't good for a lot of other people either, so we now have laws protecting people from second-hand smoke. But at the end of the day, if the individual wants to continue smoking, I don't see why that has anything to do with ability to work.

Smokers I work with do disappear more for smoking breaks, but most companies could easily make those breaks more regimented if they wanted to. The law here actually states that you're allowed 15 minutes every two hours, so you simply make that break more regimented so it's fair for everyone.

Otherwise I think this is a real violation of personal freedom.

So much for liberal tolerant canada ......

If you take the time to read the article John, it states that it takes place in both of our countries.
The employers that are carrying out these regretable actions are more likely conservatives anyway..

What? Instead of just wading in with a stock anti-Canada anti-liberal retort? You take all the fun out of things :lol:

Got your attention though didnt it ??? :D :D :D

Blatant discrimination, I'd say. As for Weyco Medical Benefits in Michigan who prohibit their employees from smoking at work and at home, that's a step too far IMO, regardless of whether they gave their employees 2yrs notice and provided products and programs to help smokers quit.
So they want a healthier workforce, huh? Perhaps if American employees were offered more vacation time they wouldn't have so many 'sick' days off work. What next? Alcoholics, bulemics, anorexics being given ultimatums too? After all, these addictions also have a derogatory impact on an individual's health. :roll: