Pa hospital system won't hire smokers

Published

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long Term Care.

It sounds like discrimination to me!! I guess I will not be applying to any of these hospitals....lol! Wait and see how many good people will be gone because of this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Discrimination? Smoking is a choice.

I would want my healthcare employees to be setting a good example for patients, not smell bad for their patients, not to mention that nonsmokers don't need smoke breaks every hour and that hiring decision will mean lower healthcare costs for everyone on the company plan.

Don't like it? Quit smoking!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Discrimination? Smoking is a choice.

I would want my healthcare employees to be setting a good example for patients, not smell bad for their patients, not to mention that nonsmokers don't need smoke breaks every hour and that hiring decision will mean lower healthcare costs for everyone on the company plan.

Don't like it? Quit smoking!

:yeahthat:

Good for them -- I hope that more hospitals will join this trend as time goes on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

O come on! I guess next on the list will be anyone not within their IBW.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
O come on! I guess next on the list will be anyone not within their IBW.

Wow... you are right... let's hire alcoholics too, mmmkay?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Nothing wrong with having a couple of drinks on a Friday night or a glass of wine with dinner-that does not an alcoholic make...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
Nothing wrong with having a couple of drinks on a Friday night or a glass of wine with dinner-that does not an alcoholic make...

nope... that wouldn't affect performance

but a smoker who stinks and needs smoking breaks, that affects performance

and they raise everyone's health plan costs by their choice

private employer can make whatever legal restrictions they want and saying "no smokers" is PERFECTLY reasonable

(my personal opinion is that if they cant figure out that you are a smoker, then it's none of their business, but that means just being a casual smoker)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.
Wow... you are right... let's hire alcoholics too, mmmkay?

How do you know you aren't working with some already? I know lots of "friends of Bill W." who are nurses --- some doctors too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
How do you know you aren't working with some already? I know lots of "friends of Bill W." who are nurses --- some doctors too!

well

(my personal opinion is that if they cant figure out that you are a smoker, then it's none of their business, but that means just being a casual smoker)

So if the person is coming to work intoxicated or reeking of ketones or drinks on their breaks, then that's a problem that affects performance.

If not, then not a problem, right?

Same for smoking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long Term Care.
Discrimination? Smoking is a choice.

I would want my healthcare employees to be setting a good example for patients, not smell bad for their patients, not to mention that nonsmokers don't need smoke breaks every hour and that hiring decision will mean lower healthcare costs for everyone on the company plan.

Don't like it? Quit smoking!

Are you kidding me? Really? What's next telling people who like to over eat or are obese that they can not work in healthcare?? I can see maybe not smoking while at work...but when someone gets home and is off the clock THAT IS THIER BUISSNESS AS TO WHAT THEY DO!!! It is a choice to smoke.....and for some people (for those of you who do smoke) know the risk that is involved with it and it is their CHOICE to take a risk. To get a drug test for smoking is insane!!! It is discrimination against people who smoke....yes i agree it is a horrible habit...but when i do when i go home is my buissness and if i want to smoke a pack of cigarettes i will.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

As I said all staff are entitled to a certain amount of breaktime. Also-many people don't smell heavily of cigarette smoke.I think they may metabolize it differently but I know several smokers that I have never smelled it on. After break they wash their hands,brush their teeth,use mouth wash etc-the same things I do if I have eaten a particularly odiferous lunch..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion