Pa hospital system won't hire smokers

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I agree that what you do on employer property is their business. However - smoking doesn't impair your performance like say, narcotics that they test for. I can't see how it's any of their business if you smoke on your own time.

Actually, as an employee, every aspect of your character is their buisness. If they so choose, they can impose a code of ethics that they expect you to follow. Their game. Their rules. Consider employment for a job with the FBI. They get all up in your life, to the point of talking to your neighbors and childhood playmates. Is it kosher? Not really. But hey, you still have the choice not to work for them. Is it somehow more acceptable for the FBI to do it then a private company because it's affiliated with the government?

When my father was younger, This was probably back in the 70's. I'm not sure. He worked in a factory for one of the big three automakers. You know, a more old fashioned kind of traditional america then we have today. The factory manager got to know each of his workers on a personal level, and was more hands on rather then hiding in an office. If someone did something that stood out, he would give them a raise on the spot to encourage excellence. He also had a habit for firing anyone on the spot if he came to find out they were having extramarital affairs.

Is it wrong? Is it right? Who knows. Those just weren't the type of people he wanted working for him. And that was his perogative.

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Specializes in Psych.

I have no problem with hospitals doing this. I think its horribly hypocritical to be counselling someone in smoking cessation and then go outside and light up yourself. It was one of the reasons that I quit smoking 2 months ago. I know when I am finished with NS, if I were still smoking, I would feel HORRIBLY guilty telling pts to quit smoking when I still am. Its written on my list of reasons I quit that I carry around with me all the time in case I have a weak moment. But re: people going out for smoke breaks all the time? When I DID smoke, I could go 12 hours without a cig, no problem. But I was also only smoking 8 cigs max per day.

Smokers put a HUGE burden on the insurance costs for employers. If they want to keep hiring them, I DEF think they have the right to make smokers pay higher premiums. I know that one of my old employers did, and I had no problem paying. I knew what I was doing to myself, and now that I've quit, I really cant fathom anyone else WILLINGLY killing themselves.........because smoking WILL kill you. Not might, will.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I apologize if I misinterpreted the meaning of "taking" narcotics. I did interpret it as referring to stealing narcotics -- perhaps because I can't imagine ever be willing to work as a professional in a healthcare setting while on narcotics (although I realize plenty of people do).

I realize I need to leave this alone, because it's off topic, but man....more judgements just tossed out there randomly. Someone "willing" to work as a professional in a healthcare setting while on narcotics? Again, some people are on them chronically. Taking them actually GIVES them the ability to not only work, but function in the day to day. The profession doesn't even matter, someone shouldn't feel that the fact that they are empowering themselves to be pain-free, or to have as minimal pain as possible, as a knock to either their ability to DO their job, or their choice to be a health professional. I can't believe this attitude towards pain management still exists nowadays. Someone in healthcare has a BETTER understanding of it than laypeople do. But obviously the majority of them are still seen as "addicts" or at the very least, that it's doing something wrong. Sad.

Back to the original topic.

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A couple of thoughts on this subject.

What I get really tired of is the sense of entitlement so many smokers feel. I have seen numerous times that a smoker feels it is perfectly okay to run outside for a quick smoke break but then be the loudest complainer on the floor about a non-smoker who runs down to the cafeteria to grab a snack or something to drink before it closes. If you are going to do something don't be a hypocrite about it.

Employers have the right to set the conditions of employment. Prospective employees on the other hand have the right to choose whether or not they wish to meet those conditions in order to gain employment with that employer.

My own opinion is that people have the right to kill themselves in the privacy of their own home if they choose. I think a better way for employers to handle smokers would be to go ahead and test them for nicotine and make them pay more for their insurance. You could make the argument that the same could be done with the obese employee as well but since obesity is considered a disease in many quarters, it would come under the heading of a pre-existing condition, a subject which is addressed in both the health care bills now being considered.

This is what Whole Foods Market does. If you smoke, fine. Your insurance will cost $10 more per paycheck to offset the eventual health care costs. That seems like an excellent option, because nobody is denying that smoking leads to higher health care costs. And that, after all, IS the issue at hand. Not prejudice or discrimination or and of the rest of it.

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Specializes in 4 years Geriatric/Psychiatric Nursing.

this is only my +0.02

I am a smoker since 12yo and still smoking, and I DO A DAMN GOOD JOB of BEING A NURSE. A lot better than those I work with who all talk no work being done, when I got to this country and took oath to defend this land, all I hear was Democracy and land of oppurtunity.

I dont see this policy giving me oppurtunity to show what I am capable of as a Nurse, and as Man, and the democracy of choosing whether I want to smoke or not. Btw what will be next, policy on what underwear should a wear to work? Lets just declare Marshall Law!

before everything else this is just my +0.02 and just my sole opinion, If people are offended then too Bad. :p

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Specializes in PICU now, Peds and med-surg in the past.

I'm not a smoker but I do agree that it's discrimination. I think the hospitals are within their rights to ban smoking while at work and even to discipline if you come to work chronically smelling of smoke, however. You guys know how some people smell of smoke so badly, it can be harmful to the patients. But as long as not done at work or harming our patients in any way I don't see how they can justify such a rule.

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Oh honey, if you wanted an excuse to sit at home and watch Oprah all day, you didn't have to wait for this smoking thing to come out. I'm sure there are any other number of forms of victimology you can employ to get yourself a nice cushy spot in Uncle Sam's wallet. Sexual harassment, gender discrimination, hey...you can pretend to be gay for a few weeks and quit because the workplace environment wasn't accepting you.

Silentmind...you're turning a debate into something junior high. While you have a right to express your views, you should try to be a little bit more respectful.

There are a lot of "closet" smokers out there, friends of Bill, friends of Kevin and other people with issues, you don't know who these people are. Be careful who you disrespect and humiliate, they may be your future boss.

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Silentmind...you're turning a debate into something junior high. While you have a right to express your views, you should try to be a little bit more respectful.

There are a lot of "closet" smokers out there, friends of Bill, friends of Kevin and other people with issues, you don't know who these people are. Be careful who you disrespect and humiliate, they may be your future boss.

I appreciate you calling me out on that. I was wrong. Unemployment for everyone, baby.

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Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.
this is only my +0.02

I am a smoker since 12yo and still smoking, and I DO A DAMN GOOD JOB of BEING A NURSE. A lot better than those I work with who all talk no work being done, when I got to this country and took oath to defend this land, all I hear was Democracy and land of oppurtunity.

I dont see this policy giving me oppurtunity to show what I am capable of as a Nurse, and as Man, and the democracy of choosing whether I want to smoke or not. Btw what will be next, policy on what underwear should a wear to work? Lets just declare Marshall Law!

before everything else this is just my +0.02 and just my sole opinion, If people are offended then too Bad. :p

Hmm. We do have a policy.... stars, stripes or thongs, if it is evident, your patterned or bare azz goes home. Sorry its off topic, but we are so there already. :) Ivanna

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

i don't think it's descrimination.

i don't smoke,

and i sure can pick up a smoker from far,

and sure don't want to be taken care of by a

smoker for the simple fact that i hate the smell and i can't stand it, you might be a good nurse, but i don't wanna smell your ciggarett all over you. yuck

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

We are going to start to see more and more of this. Smokers and people who are over weight. am overweight and I fear that at some point the insurance company may either refuse to insure me or increase my premiums because of it.

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I have another concern. I am not and never have been a smoker. However, my husband is a smoker and has no intention of quitting anytime soon. If a nicotine test is done, I am sure I will show positive for nicotine because of his smoke. So am I employable or not? My guess is I am not employable, and I base this on cases that have already come up. In essence, my family's bad habits can bite me in the butt. But how much control do I have--I can't make him stop smoking. It's an addiction, and saying "well, if he loved you he would stop" doesn't apply to addictive behaviors. It's just sad that I may be penalized in the future for my choice to stay with my husband.

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