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Hi Anoop Rana,
I am a smoker myself and also an HR Manager at a Manufacturing unit with 2 units under my supervision. We maintain a flexible policy regarding smoking and offer flexible timing. I have observed that everyone stays within limits, so I do not feel the need to impose any breaks or strict rules. Let employees smoke as needed, and their performance will be evaluated through the appraisal process.
It is essential to consider that employees sometimes work late hours based on the work requirements. Smoking can be a nicotine craving that needs to be satisfied; otherwise, it may lead to poor concentration at work.
Not everything can be governed by written rules and regulations; some aspects are based on conventions. We do not provide designated smoking areas or allow smoking inside the plant premises.
Let's maintain flexibility, as in HR, we deal with humans who are assets, not instruments. It is crucial to understand this distinction because the organizational culture we offer individual employees directly or indirectly impacts our retention strategy.
Please reflect on these points.
Thank you and regards,
Anoop Rana
Manager, HR
From India, New Delhi
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I am a smoker myself and also an HR Manager at a Manufacturing unit with 2 units under my supervision. We maintain a flexible policy regarding smoking and offer flexible timing. I have observed that everyone stays within limits, so I do not feel the need to impose any breaks or strict rules. Let employees smoke as needed, and their performance will be evaluated through the appraisal process.
It is essential to consider that employees sometimes work late hours based on the work requirements. Smoking can be a nicotine craving that needs to be satisfied; otherwise, it may lead to poor concentration at work.
Not everything can be governed by written rules and regulations; some aspects are based on conventions. We do not provide designated smoking areas or allow smoking inside the plant premises.
Let's maintain flexibility, as in HR, we deal with humans who are assets, not instruments. It is crucial to understand this distinction because the organizational culture we offer individual employees directly or indirectly impacts our retention strategy.
Please reflect on these points.
Thank you and regards,
Anoop Rana
Manager, HR
From India, New Delhi
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So if someone craves for romance will u allow that to ease tension,,, :-D:-D:-D:-D and since you smoke you will die soon :-D:-D:-D goodbyee :-D:-D:-D
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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I am posting some posters showing effects of smoking please take printout and keep in your office smoking chamber,,
From India, Pune
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From India, Pune
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Hi,
I feel that smoking is a personal matter for individuals and should not be linked to an employee's performance. Some of our friends here have commented that smoking increases productivity, etc.
As an organization that cares about its employees, we can introduce some awareness programs on anti-smoking. In our company, we successfully reduced the smoking rate through a contest. We have identified employees who smoke and classified them into three categories:
1. Pass time smokers - employees who smoke 1 or 2 cigarettes during office hours. Many employees, including women, fall into this category. They smoke for fun and are not addicted, usually smoking in groups.
2. Light smokers - employees who smoke around 2-5 cigarettes during office hours. Many young and senior employees are addicted to smoking.
3. Heavy smokers - employees who smoke more than 5 cigarettes during office hours, often seen among top management discussing critical issues.
Regarding the contest, we announced that employees who smoke less or do not smoke continuously for a month in each category will be awarded a cash prize, etc.
This contest has successfully converted almost all pass time smokers into non-smokers. There has been a significant change in the light smokers category as well. However, heavy smokers, who have been smoking for many years, show no significant change as they are not willing to quit or reduce smoking for any reason.
Using such tactics, we can bring about awareness and change among employees.
Regards,
Harsha
Dear Seniors,
I need your advice. I am facing a problem with the smoking habits of many employees.
How many cigarette breaks are too many in an eight-hour workday?
I believe we need a smoke break policy to maintain productivity and possibly reduce healthcare costs. Do any readers have such a policy?
What unforeseen issues might arise if we enforce stricter rules?
Regards,
Abraham
From India
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I feel that smoking is a personal matter for individuals and should not be linked to an employee's performance. Some of our friends here have commented that smoking increases productivity, etc.
As an organization that cares about its employees, we can introduce some awareness programs on anti-smoking. In our company, we successfully reduced the smoking rate through a contest. We have identified employees who smoke and classified them into three categories:
1. Pass time smokers - employees who smoke 1 or 2 cigarettes during office hours. Many employees, including women, fall into this category. They smoke for fun and are not addicted, usually smoking in groups.
2. Light smokers - employees who smoke around 2-5 cigarettes during office hours. Many young and senior employees are addicted to smoking.
3. Heavy smokers - employees who smoke more than 5 cigarettes during office hours, often seen among top management discussing critical issues.
Regarding the contest, we announced that employees who smoke less or do not smoke continuously for a month in each category will be awarded a cash prize, etc.
This contest has successfully converted almost all pass time smokers into non-smokers. There has been a significant change in the light smokers category as well. However, heavy smokers, who have been smoking for many years, show no significant change as they are not willing to quit or reduce smoking for any reason.
Using such tactics, we can bring about awareness and change among employees.
Regards,
Harsha
Dear Seniors,
I need your advice. I am facing a problem with the smoking habits of many employees.
How many cigarette breaks are too many in an eight-hour workday?
I believe we need a smoke break policy to maintain productivity and possibly reduce healthcare costs. Do any readers have such a policy?
What unforeseen issues might arise if we enforce stricter rules?
Regards,
Abraham
From India
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Hi,
I'll use a bit of psychology. The desire of a mind to smoke cannot be generalized with respect to parameters of time. We have several kinds of smokers depending on the respective intensity. Doing it on an organizational level would definitely be difficult.
Secondly, even if you frame a set of rules, making people stick to it is the next situation you would confront.
From United States, Fremont
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I'll use a bit of psychology. The desire of a mind to smoke cannot be generalized with respect to parameters of time. We have several kinds of smokers depending on the respective intensity. Doing it on an organizational level would definitely be difficult.
Secondly, even if you frame a set of rules, making people stick to it is the next situation you would confront.
From United States, Fremont
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The smoking issue is, at best, controversial and, at worst, divisive. It is controversial because it pits one group with good intentions (good health, lower insurance costs, less absenteeism, etc.) against another - those who actually enjoy smoking and feel it is beneficial to their mental well-being.
Divisive because non-smokers see smoke breaks as additional time away from work. They view the smoke break as a non-productive waste of time and tend to resent it because they have no opportunity for similar "breaks".
One thing is certain; I don't think you can force employees to quit smoking. You can try, by means of an incentive - subsidize a quit smoking program or provide a discount on insurance premiums for non-smokers, or other means to convince employees to stop smoking.
But keep in mind what another poster said - those who quit tend to gain weight and become sluggish.
Consider setting up a "smoking room" where employees can smoke and work at the same time. It will eliminate complaints of "excessive breaks" since the smoker will be working guilt-free, thus being more productive. The room should have desks and telephones, at a minimum, perhaps even a beverage machine.
Furthermore, a few chairs and tables would complete and complement the room. It should be open to anyone who does not object to smoking or smoke (which should be exhausted out of the room by some means).
While the controversy over the benefits and drawbacks of smoking will continue, the knowledge that smokers are working rather than taking a "smoke break" should go far to end the divisiveness in the workplace.
From United States,
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Divisive because non-smokers see smoke breaks as additional time away from work. They view the smoke break as a non-productive waste of time and tend to resent it because they have no opportunity for similar "breaks".
One thing is certain; I don't think you can force employees to quit smoking. You can try, by means of an incentive - subsidize a quit smoking program or provide a discount on insurance premiums for non-smokers, or other means to convince employees to stop smoking.
But keep in mind what another poster said - those who quit tend to gain weight and become sluggish.
Consider setting up a "smoking room" where employees can smoke and work at the same time. It will eliminate complaints of "excessive breaks" since the smoker will be working guilt-free, thus being more productive. The room should have desks and telephones, at a minimum, perhaps even a beverage machine.
Furthermore, a few chairs and tables would complete and complement the room. It should be open to anyone who does not object to smoking or smoke (which should be exhausted out of the room by some means).
While the controversy over the benefits and drawbacks of smoking will continue, the knowledge that smokers are working rather than taking a "smoke break" should go far to end the divisiveness in the workplace.
From United States,
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Hi Ash Mathew, you write well.
Why are we encouraging a bad habit in the first place (and increasing medical costs, and losing good people in the long run)? By the way, please check the mediclaim forms of these employees - some of them may have ticked - not smoking!
In the West, companies are encouraging employees to quit smoking, à la Smoking Anonymous. Try yoga instead (it works). To counter a bad habit, encourage a good habit.
Also, don't you think giving smoking breaks is unfair to people who do not smoke and hence do not take these breaks? A break is time off, and that is how many people look at it. Can someone not work hard and not smoke?
I am against smoking and not against smokers. I feel for them as they are killing themselves. Many of them want to quit but cannot. So let us help them. More breaks are not a solution certainly.
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Why are we encouraging a bad habit in the first place (and increasing medical costs, and losing good people in the long run)? By the way, please check the mediclaim forms of these employees - some of them may have ticked - not smoking!
In the West, companies are encouraging employees to quit smoking, à la Smoking Anonymous. Try yoga instead (it works). To counter a bad habit, encourage a good habit.
Also, don't you think giving smoking breaks is unfair to people who do not smoke and hence do not take these breaks? A break is time off, and that is how many people look at it. Can someone not work hard and not smoke?
I am against smoking and not against smokers. I feel for them as they are killing themselves. Many of them want to quit but cannot. So let us help them. More breaks are not a solution certainly.
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Yes, you may increase the working hours for the employees who smoke besides reducing their health benefits.
From India, Delhi
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From India, Delhi
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